The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-04-29
CHURCH DEDICATION AZ snvER RuN.
st. Mary's Reformed Church Dedicated in
the Presence of an Immense Throng-
History of the Church.


communion built themselves a small log
church near Silver Run, in which they wer-
shipped for ilty-three years A second
church was built near the site of this log strnc
ture in the year 1921, which still stanJs on
the hill near the village, and which was used
for seventytwo years as union church by
the Reformed and Lutheran congregations.
This church was quite an ornament when COM
pared to the little log church, and 1t was said
that it was the largest and finest church at
that time in the county il not in the state
outside of the cities and that people came
for miles to see it.
As the years rolled ON the congregation
grew in membership and wealth and this
second church became too small TO accom-
MEDIATE the large congregations which as
sembled on special occasions. The Reformed
congregation was the first to move for new
church and on the Ind day of March, 1890,
ground was broken for the erection of new
Reformed church. The corner stone was
laid October, %, 1890, and it took the COM
mittee three years TO complete the structure.
In design and size there is as much difference
between it and the second church as there
was between the second church and the little
log structure which was build about one
hundred and twenty five years ago, and it is
again said that it is the largest and finest
country church in Carroll and probably in the
State.
The building is gothic in design and the di-
mensions are ~ by 100 feet, with seating
capacity of between eight and nine hundred
There are two Sunday school rooms, separat-
ed from the audience chamber by glass par
titions, and the whole structure is heated by
three large furnaces located in the basement.
1t is a one story brick building, with granite
and red sand stone trimmings. The hmbers
r.I. oil In
The windows are of stained glass and the
whole building presents very handsome
appearance. As the committee have not
made a final report as to the cost OF the build
ing we are unable to give the exact figure,
but it will reach SIS, 600 and perhaps more.
Aud the money was raised, too. without resort
TO fairs, festivals, ratings and other usual
methods The pastor does not counlenance
these methods, and during his sixteen years
passionate he has steadfastly adhered to the
common faith OF christendom that the power
of Christ and His Word is supreme for good
in the hearts and lives of Christians, and that
no other power or influence can be used in
place off without grievous hurt and without
the natural implication of more or less unbe-
lief in the omnipresent power of Christ on the
part of those who resort to such methods.
The teaching of the pastor bore fruit and the
congregation has set an example for all other
bodies OF christians to follow.
Many of the members Of the congregation
were quite liberal in their donations, and
this greatly aided the committee in raising
the funds The ground was donated by Mr..
Absalom Koontz, the bell by Mr.. John L.
Dutterer, and the two large windows by the
Shriver family and Mr.. John Maus and wife.
The smaller ones we're given by Martin 1ing.
ling and family, Mrs. Barbara +. Mikesell, OF
Lttlestown, Martin Beachtel, George A.
Formwalt and family and Miss Sarah c..
Motter; the windows in the Sunday school
rooms by Miss Emma NJ. Haines, Alvin Dut-
terer, Bertha L., John W., Mary S., Eli c..
and Mabel 5. Dutterer, Edgar e. 1ingling,
Herbert n. and Anna NJ. Beachtel, Della Z.
and Charles Y. Koontz. The pulpit, reading
desk and communion table were gifts OF MIR.
Lewis Il. Shriver, the altar chairs by Mrs.
Susan Dutterer.
The English bibles were presented by Mrs.
Hester Lewis OF Florida; and the German
bible by Mrs. Catharine Froek, member of
the church. The communion set was given
by Rev. w. c. Cramer of Chambersburg, a
former pastor of the church, and baptismal
font by Mr.. j. Il. Nav of Lttlestown.
The time set for the dedication of the
church was last Sunday afternoon, April 23d.
The day dawned clear and cool and by noon
tie TOduS leduiuS 10 OliNeT nun were lineu
with people on their way to the church-some
on foot, some one bicycles, some in four
horse teams while the greater number went
in smaller coneeyanees. By one O'Clock the
little village, was full and running over with
people and teams. When your reporter ar
rived at the church he found perfect jamb
of people around the entrance. As soon as
the doors where unlocked there was rush,
and the eight ushers were unable to control
the crowd. 1t was not long before every seat
in the building was occupied and the aisles
were crowded with men women and children,
who stood Throughout the services.
1t is estimated that there were 5000 people
present, and about 1000 teams Never before
n the history of Silver Run was there such a
large crowd known to have assembled on any
one occasion. The services were conducted
by Rev. j. o. Miller Of York, Pa, who
preached q shert but eloquent sermon. The
following ministers were present-Rev. j. ..
Miller of York, Rev. II. Ditzler of fancy
town, Rev. II. s. Weber of Baltimore, Rev. g.
B. Resser of Hanover, Revs. c. S. Slagle and
II. J. Macalister of Westminster, Rev. Wm.
Leftover, Rev. Mr.. Lindaman, Rev. Mr.. Stem,
Rev. Mr.. Dieble and Prof Krebbs of Titles
town, and Rev. j. G. Moss, pastor of the
church.
The choir was composed of fourteen mem
beers, all home talent, and was under the d.
rection of Mr.. j. N. Mark, with Miss BERTHE
V. Mark, organist Mr.. Charles Baumgard
ner on the cornet Mr.. viii Study on the
clarionet, Mr.. Wesley j. Hahn on the flute,
Mr.. Milton NJ Morelock on the violin. and
Mr.. Nelson Study on the double bass assisted.
The choir was composed as follows: So
pranos, Miss Katie Frock and Miss Cora
Koontz; altos, Mrs. Jane Willet aud Miss
Katie Hahn; tenors, Messrs. j. r. Lppy and
Thomas Keefer; basses, Messrs. Edgar Keeter
and Lewis Moss.
The pastor, Rev. J. G..Noss, stated that
there was only a small debt of $500 on the
building, and that he would make himself
responsible for that, as he had not been able
to visit all who live at distance to collect
their subscriptions. A basket collection was
then taken on the inside of the church, which
amounted to $249.54. This money is to be
used for paving and fencing around the church.
On Monday afternoon there was segioe in
the new church, conducted by Rev. Fl. Ditz-
Ter, and on Tuesday afternoon services were
conducted by Rev. NJ. l.. Firor Of Union
Bridge. Rev. II. j. Macalister of Westmn-
ster preached on Wednesday afternoon,
Rev. j. w. Santee of Cavetown, Nd, on
Thursday afternoon, and Rev. L. ID. Miller
of Hanover held service in German on
Friday afternoon. This Saturday afternoon
preparatory and confirmation service Will be
held at o'clock, and at O'Clock tomorrow
afternoon there be Holy Communion and
sermon by Rev. j. W. Santee.
Pleasant Valley Items.
The Reformed congregation of ST. Mat
thew's Church organized benevolent Aid
Society at this place, on Wednesday evening
last. and elected the following officers for the
ensuing year John Shade, president; Mrs.
Joseph P. Yingling, vice president; Mrs
Frederick H. Myers, treasurer; Mrs. John T..
Lawyer, secretary, and Misses Berthe Bowers,
Carrie Hahn and Mary Geiman, collectors.
A very quiet and pretty wedding took place
at the residence of the BRIDES parents, Mr..
and Mrs David f. Myerly, on Wednesday
afternoon last. The contracting parties we're
Mr.. VIM. A. High, of Baltimore. Nd, and
Miss Anna 3. Myerly, second daughter Of
Mr.. David i. MYerly, and granddaughter Of
Ex-Judge Elias Myerly, of Manchester. The
bride was attired in a beautiful silk, Of ash