The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-06-25
OLDEST
GERMAN
CHURCH
In wheeling Conducts Special Ser
vices Sunday on the Occasion
OF the Completion Of
THE Observation-Disclosures
That Have Been in Progress for Some
9ime-A Number of Visiting
clergymen Present.


The congregation of St. Johns Ger
man Evangelical Protestant church
yesterday slgnallzed the completion of
the recent improvements to their edi-
Gee at the corner of Seventeenth and
Market streets, by holding services Of
an elaborate and impressive nature.
They gathered in greatly remodelled
and beautlfed interior, and the ediilce
now Is one Of the prettlest in the city,
In which the congregation feels par
donable pride.
With typical German energy and bus
iness-like methods the congregation
has made improvements to It's church.
costing $500, every cent of which has
been provided for. SO that the services
were not marked by any appeals for
financial aid. as is frequently the case
with less fortunate churches. In addl-
tIon to the beautiful interior and the
accompanying handsome furnishings,
the exterior OF the church has been re-
painted and otherwise improved, while
the tower aud spIre have also been
painted and gilded, and the general
appearance of the church was latter
ingly commented on by many visitors.
Services were held In the morning
and evening. Among the visiting cler-
gymen were Rev. A. Lange, OF Sreuben-
Vile, o.: Rev. Gustaye Schmidt, of Nc
Keesport. Pa: Rev. U. Hangartner, OF
Pittsburgh The morning sermon was
delivered by Rev. Mr.. Schmidt. and
Rev. Mr.. Lange spoke In the evening.
The other ministers Joined in the felic-
ltatlons to the pastor, Rev. William Ul-
fert, and his congregation upon their
pretty place of worship. and wishing
them continued success.
The musical features were of high
order, Meister's orchestra assisted the
choir, and solos were sung by Mr. Ric-
cardo RiccI, Misses Luda schmelchel
and Mary Jahnke. The choir had pre-
pared special programme. which was
rendered most credItably.
The church building was erected thir-
ty years ago, and Rev. Mr.. Ulfert yes
terday said that the congregation was
the Oldest German one in Wheeling. 1t
formerly worshipped at the old Eight
eenth street church, torn down few
weeks ago, and stone taken from the
old building was placed in front of st.
Johns church yesterday, where 1t was
an object OF much attention. The
Eighteenth street congregation was
known as the German Christian Evan
gelical, and the present title was as
sumed when the congregation moved
to Its present place of worship. at the
corner OF Seventeenth and Market
streets.
The views of the church are not or
thodox and are considered very liberal
by other churches, but 1t has the larg-
est membership OF any of the German
churches in the city. It has G6O families,
aud three new members were affiliated
with the church yesterday morning.
Rev. William Ulfert has been pastor OF
the church for sixteen years, and the
close and cordial relations existing be-
tween him and his flock ensure con-
tInuatlon of them for many more years.
st. Johns is member of the Pitts
burgh district of the German Evangel-
zeal Protestant church. The other
three districts in the United States are
the Cleveland. st. Louis and ClucIn-
natl.
Taking an active part In the rededica-
ton exercises yesterday was Mr.. Will
lam Geese. of this city, a candidate for
the ministry, who viii be admitted next
September.