Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-13
FOR HALF A CENTURY
German MethOdism Has Grown Since
Its Origin in Pittsburg.
BIRTHSTONE CORNERS BRANCHES
Have Spread Till They Now Shelter
About 10000 People.
THE SERVICES OF THE CELEBRATION

The semi-centennial of German Method
ism was celebrated in .Pittsburg and ALLIE
gheny yesterday. A union service was held
in the church at the corner of Ohio street
and Union avenue. Rev. P. f. Schneider,
former pastor and present financial agent
of the German Wallace College at Berea, o.,
preached at 1890 in the morning. In the
afternoon a mass meeting was held, at which
the members of the various cregations were
present. The pastors present were: Rev.
John Swahlen, of Baltimore; Rev. P. F.
Schneider, of Berea, o.; Rev. j. c. Weld
man, of Berea, o.; Rev. Carl Koch,
of Vermillion, o.; Rev. j. R. Bodnier, of
Buckrus o.; Rev. L. Allinger, Rev.
Ph. J. Graessle, Rev. D. Graessle, Rev. B.
F. Beal and Rev. John Bier, of this city,
and Rev. D. Stoll, of McKeesport. 1t was
expected that Dr. Mast, the father of
German Methodism in America, now of
Berea, O., would be present. Heis 50 years
of age, however, and sent message that he
could not come, on account of his age.
Rev. John Swahlen, of Baltimore, who
preached his semi-centeEnial sermon to his
congregation two weeks ago, was the first
one of DR.. Nast's converts, and was the Sec
ond German Methodist minister in the
country. He spoke of the origin of German
Methodism in America, and told his own
experiences during the past 80 years.
Rev. P. f. Schneider, financial agent of
Wallace College, Berea, O., spoke next.
He outlined the progress of German
Methodism and gave statistical report of
it. saying:
Fifty years ago there was but one congrega-
ton; now there are 40, with $50 Sunday
schools, 10000 church members and the same
number of Sunday school scholars. The
libraries in the schools contain 81, 600 volumes.
There are colleges under the jurisdiction of
the church, orphan asylums There are 40
preachers. There are IL conferences, and the
church property is valued at 81, 100000.
Rev. j. c. Weidman spoke of the future
of the church, stating that the prospects for
its continued success were very bright.
Rev. c. E. Locke, of the Smithfeld
Street Church, and DR.. Horner, of the
Methodist book rooms, also made short ad-
dresses. The services in the afternoon were
in German. The local history given was as
follows:
Fifty years ago German Methodism was
started in the Smithfield Street NJ. E Church.
During the first year a congregation with 100
members was organized. church was then
built on the corner of Strawberry and Cherry
alleys. The second church built was on the
corner of Ross street and Fonrth avenue and a
congregation organized in 1S47. In 1859 the
church on Sixteenth street was built where an
enterprising congregation now worships. In
1852 the church In Allegheny was built. Five
years later the congregation on Fortieth street
was organized and built church. In 1884 the
East End church was built. In all there are
four congregations and three missions. The
membership numbers $50; the Sunday school
scholars, 500; there are 5000 books in the IL
braries and the church property in the two
cities is valued at 900.