The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-09-25

In studying the early history Of Can
ton, find that most Of the pioneers
came from Lutheran or Reformed early
education and training; and 1t Is there
fore quite proper that they be the
first to mention among the old religious
landmarks in our community. The first
preaching in the neighborhood was IN
a barn of Michael Reed, short dis
tance from where the workhouse is
now located. The preacher was Rev.
John Stauch, Lutheran who lived
lin western Pennsylvania and visited
here at stated periods during the pleas
ant summer months.
The seats were made from slabs that
were obtained from my grandfather.
Phillip Slusser's saw mill, that stood at
the east end Of the town at that time.
In the winter season services were oc-
casionally held, mostly in private
houses, and the dining room of De-
waits tavern was also appropriated for
this purpose on some occasions.
In 1910 the German Lutheran and
Reformed congregations jointly took
possession of the block Of lots in West
Tuscarawas street, where the First
block Of lots was left by Babzalel Wells
for church purposes; they built a small
frame house of worship, but 1t was
never completely finished, being used
without plastering on several occasions
for preaching services. But as the do
nation of the block of lots by Mr.. Wells
designated no denomination, they
feared that other congregations might
also want to come there; and, in the
early history Of the congregation Rev.
Anthony Wier, Lutheran minister, be-
came their pastor and 1t is said was
rhe first resident minister in Canton.
And through the influence of Rev. Wier
they concluded to buy the ground that
they were sure they could always con-
troll, without the fear that other con-
gregations would molest them. They
therefore bought the block of lots m
East Tuscarawas street, where the
First German Reformed and the Ger
man Evangelical Lutheran churches
now stand, whose pastor Is Rev. L. It.
Meyer. AS they were not able to An
ish this building, 1t stood for years In
an unfinished condition, but under roof,
and in the meantime 1t was injured
somewhat by lightning. THIS is the
house In our picture that they built and
finally finished after 1t had been shat
tered by lightning. The Reformed con-
gregation had no regular pastor. but
was occasionally supplied by Revs.
Mahvenschmit and Sonnendecker.
The interior of the house would ap-
pear quite odd to the present genera
tion. The gallery extended around three
sides-south, east an west--and was 10
or twelve feet from the floor, while the
pulpit on the north side was as high
from the floor as was the gallery.
Quite steep little stairway, with
railing, led up from one side into this
pulpit, and twas SO small that but two
persons could occupy 1t at time. The
pews were quite primitive, in style,
with square end-pieces. while the backs
stood straight up and the seats were
hard and level: SO that to have a seat
was not much more comfortable than
to stand. I think in later years they
We're somewhat improved.
The first regular pastor OF the Re-
formed church was. believe, Rev Ben
jamin Foust, who took charge Of the
CONGREGATION in 1875 The frame church
in West Tuscarawas street first spoken
of was occupied by the two congrega-
tions for about four years. The new
3 brick church of those days in East Tus-
carawas street. was completed about
1922, and the two congregations wor
SHIPPED there until the early sixties
making in all about 40 years that they
occupied the same house of worship.
Rev. Benjamin Foust died in 1882, and
very soon thereafter Rev. Peter Her
bruck assumed the pastorate Of the
congregation, although not yet quite
20 years of age. He had come here a;
a young theological student from Ger.
many when IS years old, and had beer
under the instruction of Rev. Foust un'
til he died. Rev. Peter Herbruck re-
NAMED pastor of the congregation TO,
about So years, until he felt that n
was too old to fill the place. He wa:
very popular among his own people, ant
we'll liked by those of other congrega
tions. At the time of his jubilee, ~
fiftieth anniversary as pastor OF th'
same congregation, 1t was said he hat
performed more marriage ceremonies
and officiated at more funerals than an.
man In Ohio, at least while pastor OF TIM
same congregation. 1t was said at tina
time that he had married 1851 couples
and had attended 2.066 funerals. Others
were married by him, and he also con
Quoted funerals, for several years there
after, so that 1t IL quite safe to sa,
that few, II any pastors In Ohio hat
oftener thus officiated.
For some years both congregation
used part of the block of lots refer
red to as u burial place for their dead