Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1889-08-22
REMINISCENCE


"REMINISCENCES.
We take tive following interesting item
from the columns Of the Wall<ersvillc Enter
prsse:
"The St. Psul's Lutheran and Reformed
church at Utica Mills, this county, was taken
down last week and the excavations for the
foundation Of the new e<litice Is now complct-
ed and ready tor the mason. lntakin down
the old building it was found to Ike in a much
worse condition than it was thought, in fact
it was dangerous. The just of the gallery
on the north side were completely rotted ntf
and the wall WAS in q very bad condition.,
while the wood work Of the cupola was al
most entirely eaten by the worms.
The contents Of the corner stone were s"
badly dccomposcd that it was hardly possible
to make out what they were. 1t contained
a copy of the Reformed Messenger, dated
Cham,ersburg, Pa. June 5tlI, 1889: The Lu-
tl,eran Observer, Baltimore, June :, 1859;
The Christian Advocate, Il Bible lutheran
HYMN Book, Psalms and Hymns, a catcciiism
and 40 cents IN silver. II 5, 10, and 2! cent
piece A roll of "shin plasters," list OF the
building committee and other written mat
ter was entirely dccomposed. The
NEW EDIFICR
will I've of brick, with an audience chamber
36x;5O feet, and Sunday school room 27x2S,
of beautiful design. The plans and spccif-
cations are furnished by Mr.. Dice, Architect
of Glenn Rock, Pa. The building commit.
tee are Mcssrs. d. J. Shook, Michael Wach-
ter, j. III. Ilinca, Levi {. Lca,hcrman and
II. l.. Graver A large number Of the mem
lrrs of the two congregations were engaged
in removing the old church, last week, free
of charge, and considerable hauling and 9TH
or work is being done gratis.
A SHORT SKETCH
of the formation OF Il church at Utica may he
OF interest to some Of our readers, consequent
ly we have obtained, from old records and
tradition, the following facts: A log build
ing, built about the year 1869 or 20 was first
used for a churcl, and school house. The
timber for this building WAS all given the
farmers of the neghl0rh"od free of charge.
The logs were hauled from the farm now
owned by Mr.. Michael Wachter, by Philip
Morningstar, father of Henry Morningstar.
who died few years ago, and grandfather Of
Philip Morningstar residing near Utica,
when young man 10 or 10 years Of age
Morninystar died in 1894, aged ~ years 50
that according to these dates the log part of
the present school house was built | 10 or 100
years ago. Preaching services were held in
this log building by the Lutl'erans, Reform
crs Methodist and Dunkcrs. Previous to
the building of this house people of this sec
ton wen, to Apples Church, beyond Grace.
ham, there being no other place OF worship
nearer The country ut that time was infest-
cd with wild animals and Indians and wor-
shippers usually took their firearms with them.
The log building being too small, about the
year 1900, \ stone structure was added to it
under the preaching of Rev. Nicholas Sneti'
en-. a noted circuit rider Of those days The
other ministers at this date were Rev. Jona-
than Heltenstsine, OF the Reform, and Rev.
David f. Schaeffer, Lutheran. The trustees
were Jacob Cranlcr, jacob CrOnise and jacob
Gcscy. Each denomination had the privilege
to use the school house every fourth Sunday
and no minister was allowed to speak dis
respectfully, so as to provoke any Of the
worshiping denominations as regards disput-
ell doctrinal points" and in order to avoid
any misunderstanding An agreement WAS
prepared and signed by the ministers and
trustees. There was no regular organization
of either church until a Lutheran consrega.
ton WAS organized by Rev. Michael Wach'er,
and soon after German Reformed
In 1888 an extensive revival of religion
was held under the preaching of Rcvs. Wiser
and Frcez.', which gave rise to the building of
church. Accordingly in jane, 1889 the
corner stone for church was laid, but the
work progressed very slowly it was not com
pleted ard dedicated until the Spring Of ~.
The following are a few Of the names of
those who contributed: Jacob Waclter, 50
William Todd $50; Daniel Shook $50; jobs
Hill, $50; Geo. Laymon, $50; Jacob Cramer
$50; Jacob Firor SO; John Laymon so
John w. Dcrr $25; Adam Glenn *25; Cor
nelils Barrick $25 David Best $25; Vnlen-
tine Shryock, $25. Each Of the abnve after
ward contributed SO more. The land on
which the church was built was given gratis
by Valentine Bowcrsox. The stone part OF
the school house was sold to the county for
$3.50, which was used in building the church
We are indebted to Rev. w. II. Todd for
the above list of doncrs to the building Of the
first church, also the agreement refcrrel too
both of which he has copies of the original
in his possession.