The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-07-01
GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH.
Elaborate Services Commemorative of the
25th Anniversary.

the ZOIn Anniversary OF IDt VI TIC
first Lutheran Church ever built in Westmin-
ster, and the organization of Grace Ev. Luth
erau Church, or congregation, in 1868, was
fixed to begin on Sunday, June 18th, and to
close Wednesday, 2Sth, 1898. 1t virtually
commenced Friday evening preceding, when
services were held in the church preparatory
to communion services to be held on Sunday
following. On that occasion Rev. II. w.
kuhns, ID. D.. now of Omaha, Nebraska,
preached to large and attentive congrega-
ton very appropriate sermon from the text
II am the Way II was a model sermon,
for orderly arrangement, precise argumenta-
tive statement, fine diction and foreible de-
livery. Dr. Kuhns was the pastor of Grace
Church when it was burnt with the parsonage
in Westminster's great fire on the night OF
April 9th, 1883.
On Sunday, June 18th, at 10. 80 a. M, the
church was crowded with large congrega-
ton to attend the communion services. On
that occasion an eloquent and appropriate
sermon was preached by Rev. II. c. Hollo,
way, d. D., now of Mifilintown, Pa, who was
pastor of the Lutheran Charge of St. Benja-
minis, ST. Johns, Winters and Bausts
Churches twenty five years ago, when, under
his auspices, Grace Lutheran congregation
was formed in Westminster, and its first
church built, of large size and imposing APP
pearance.
The communion services were interesting,
and after about one. half of the number had
commueed, the others were deferred to the
evening service, as it was time to adjourn.
The music was grand through all the services,
aided by the new and beautiful organ, which
has an excellent tone, is of two thousand
dollar class, and of Boston make. The or
ganist is Mrs. Mary A. White, nee Rinehart,
and an accomplished musician and performer.
The choir proper consists OF ten or more
members, of fine voices on the various parts,
and well trained, considering opportunities.
The chaneel and organ recess were beautifully
ornamented with flowers and plants.
During the morning services offerings m
silver were received or collected. The La
dies Aid Society presented through Mrs y.
l.. Reaver four handsome silver collection
plates. engraved ''Silver Jubilee, June Is,
ls9s.'' Mr.. Fl. C. Keefer, deacon, presented
silver private communion set. e. Lawyer
and NJ. Schaeifer each large and hne lynn
nal for church's use. Several ladies gave
white satin scarifs, embroidered with crown
and cross dozen members gave each n
Memorial Book of Worship for use OF congre-
CATION. The rest of congregation gave offer
| ings in silver on collection plates as they
chose.
In the afternoon at o'clock, the Sunday
school came in procession from their large
and commodious rooms attached to church IN
the rear, into the audience chamber, where
appropriate services were held. The school
sang finely, accompanied by the organ and
choir, a number of beautiful hymns and tunes;
and were addressed by Rev. Dr's. Holloway
aud Kuhns, each for some time. Both ad-
dresses were very entertaining and lnstruc'
| tive. intermixed with wit and humor such as
delight the youngsters and elders too. Inc
! school had been for sometime notified TO lay
| by funds for the occasion in aid OF Foreign
Missions. The pastor, Rev. L. H. Miller,
was requested at the late General Synod
meeting at Canton, Ohio, (which he attended
as n delegate by Rev. DR.. Wolf, OF the
Lutheran Mission in India, to have his Sun
day school contribute to the erection of a
PRAYER House in India, which cost $50. The
| collection was for this, and when counted out
| il amounted to 1873. 40. This school has been
supporting Hindoo scholar ever since DIR.
Earnest's time, with good results 1t costs
but $50 per year for n male. something less
for female.
A full house at o'clock p. M, on Sunday,
25th, listened attentively TO the interesting
Anniversary discourse, delivered by Rev. DR..
Kuhns. 1t comprised full history OF Luth-
eranism in Westminster, from the time hev.
p. Willard, who came here from Manchester
!
stated preaching TO small congregation oil
Westminster Lutherans in the old Union
| Church, which once stood in the graveyard,
now enlarged into the beautiful cemetery in
southeast part of Westminster. He had
charge also of the Lutheran churches around
Westminster Not receiving sufficient sup
mort he accepted call to Loudoun county,
Va. and the congregation went TO pieces
most of them belonging also to Benjamin $,
or Krider's, Church near the northern Inn
its of Westminster. During Mr. Willard 5
time an important meeting OF the Mary
land Synod was held at that old church
in Westminster. Mr.. Willard is yet living,
and his address is Mexico, Juniata county,
| Pa. He was only prevented from attending
this Anniversary from an attack of sciatlC
rheumatism in the left leg, which for the
present disables him. He will be 81 years
old in September next. He was long superin
tendent Of the Tressler Orphans Home, and
built it up successfully. He has been a greai
worker and done much good.
Mr.. Willard was succeeded in the charge
here by Rev. Mr. Ricmensnyder, Rev. John
Winter. Rev. S. Henry and Rev. FL. c. Hol
loway. d. d. Rev. Mr.. Henry, who is still
living, also, and who has many friends here
was only prevented from attendance by 4
slight accidental injury. Attempts were made
to build church in Westminster, but none
succeeded until about 1866, when the build
ING was commenced of church on two lot.
donated for the purpose by Mr.. h. Wagner
and wife. The corner. stone was laid Angus
IL. 1866 and the sermon preached by Kew
DR.. McCron, of Baltimore. The new church
was dedicated in 1868, as before stated, anC
the sermon for the occasion preached by Rev
DR.. Stork, of Baltimore. II cost about SIG,
600, and was heavy burden on the small
congregation Ample justice was done by
Dr. Kuhns to DIR. Holloway aud the leaders o
the project in Westminster for their faithful
and untiring efforts, which were at last crowned
with success.
Soon after the establishment Of worship in
the Westminster Church, DR.. Holloway re
signed the charge of the several churches he
served, and accepted call from Cumberland
Nd, to which place he removed. He wa
succeeded by Rev. p. A. S,robel, who re
manned only about one year, as the charge
was too large and laborious. He was sue
ceeded by Rev. John A. Earnest, befor'
whose coming the charge was divided and thu
Westminster charge reduced to 8 churches
Grace, ST. Benjamin and st. Johns. The
old parsonage was sold, the proceeds divided
among the five churches, including Bausti
and Winters aud new parsonage for thu
Westminster charge was built on the lot ad
1Clnlng Ofdce OiuItl III hCabhiAhotSi. ~
: Earnest resigned the charge May l, 1873, OF
: account Of voice trouble, and removed tC
; New York state. He now breaches mos
acceptably at Miflinburg, Union county
Pa. His non attendance at this celebration
, is much deplored. He expected to be here
: but was called home by severe illness of hi
wife. DIR. Earnest was succeeded by Rev
Henry w. Kuhns, D. D., the speaker on tn,
nresent occasion, who was called from New
berry, South Carolina, and who commences
: services here in 1878. and was the pastor a
the time the first church and parsonage wer,
: totally consumed by fire, on the 9th oil Apr
: 1888. The Doctor described very graphical,
the result of the fire, and the feelings pt.hip
self and family, rs they were turned ont o
! house and home with the few articles Of prop
? erty they were able to save from the flames
2 They found friends to care for them, and ate
! taking shelter for time with Mr.. VIM. G
2 Rinehart's family, new parsonage was sooI
l rented and fixed up: nor was IT very long un
ri the nresent neat and commodious bricl