Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1906-10-11
A Brief History Of st. Peters Lutheran
Church. Shepherdstown, w. Va.

community about 1870. The first
congregation was organized in 1765,
with nine persons, among whom were
Henry Bulinger, Sr. Henry Cuckus,
Martin Endler, Philip Klebef, Nico.
las Hahn and Martin Wolfort. Hav.
| ing no pastor, the regular service con-
sisted of singing of hymns, prayer
and the reading Of a sermon by one
of the lay brethren.
In l776, revolutionary times and
an epochal year for the United States
of America, Rev. Mr.. Banner became
pastor of the little flock. He was sue
ceeded by Revs. Wiltbahn, Nicode.
mus, George Young, Weyman and
Christian STREET., who was then the on.
" Lutheran minister in Virginia and
was at the same time chaplain of the
U. s. Congress.
David Young became pastor in
1870. He was the first resident pastor
and under him the church made the
best progress in its history. In Au.
gust, 1875. he laid the cornerstone OF
the first Lutheran church erected in
this community, and the building was
speedily completed. He served the
church for twelve years, and from
them went to the church triumphant.
During his ministry Martin Endler.
Nicholas Archer, George Raab, Adam
Link, Michael Burkert, John Heiser
and Andreas Ronemus were council.
men and members of the building
committee. The preserved record
shows that 4l6 persons contributed
4O3 pounds, 7 shillings and l pence
for the new church. making in our
money $2Ol6. The largest contribu-
ton was A pounds, 7 shillings and 6
pence, was given by Nicolas Freer /;
the smallest contribution, shilling
and 6 pence, was given by Maria
Gramlin.
1t is interesting to note the names
and trace their connections with fam
lies yet in this community. There
was an Adam Link then and there Is
an Adam Link now interested in build
ing the new church. A record Of the
names of all contributors to the new
church of 1906 will be preserved for
the reading of those who may be here
more than hundred years after this.
Recurring now to the pastors of this
church, it is noted that after Rev
Young's death, fifteen years of dis
sension and restitution followed. jeop-
ardizing the very life of the congrega-
tion by factions in it. The language
question was largely the bone of con-
tention. Rev. Joskinsky succeeded
Rev. Young, but remained only a
short time, and he was followed by
Rev. Rabenach. In 1918, Rev. John
Keller became pastor for a year.
Then in July, 1919. Rev. G. P. Krauth
became pastor. Now a new era dawns
for this church. Public worship be-
gins in the English language and a
dropping cause revives. For eight
years the sainted Krauth served this
church, retaining the wandering,
shepherding the young. and edifying
gil in the faith. In 1927 Rev. Jacob
Medtart became pastor, and served
seven years. In 1885 Rev. Reuben
Weiser was called and served two
years. Then Rev. Charles Martin,
Rev. Samuel Sprecher, and Rev. Jo-
seph A. Seiss became successive pas.
tors. In 1S48 Rev. @. P. Krauth,
Jr., took charge. He became one of
the Nestors of the Lutheran Church
in America. The names of Seiss and
Krauth are towers of strength in our
Zion. DR.. Krauth was followed by
Rev. Beal M. Schumacher. In 1852
Rev. J. P. Smeltzer became pastor.
He was succeeded by the following:
Rev. ]. I, Miller. lS6O-l865; Rev.
j. F. Campbell, 1866 and 1857 Rev.
D. 81. Bittle, 1S68-167l, during which
time the church was remodeled and
the present parsonage built; Rev. ].
Hawkins, 1871-1875; Rev. R. @. Hol.
land, 1875.lS78, during which time
new bell was purchased; Rev. D. M.
Moser, s79-lS92, ID years. the long
est term of any pastor in the history
of the church; Rev. @. II. Hockey,
1893.1899; Rev. 81. Max Lentz,
l9OO-l902. when he was drowned in
the river while teaching others how to
swim.
During $50 years, 1776-l906. this
church had twenty-eight pastors, be-
ing an average Of four years and nine
months for each pastor.
The records show that the period
of change from the use of the Ger.
man language to that of the English
was the most trying time in the his
tory of this church. For fifteen years.
1S03.161S, discomfort prevailed and
other churches grew at the loss of the
Lutheran. With the coming of Rev.
G. P. Krauth, ST., 1919. new era of
Lutheranism began in Shepherdstown.
He was a man of marked piety, an
able preacher, and devotedly attached
to the church of his fathers. The
Krauths, Seiss, Bittle and Holland,
evidently gave good trend to this
church in their conservative and yet
aggressive work. Lutheran culture
prevails and it is delight to worship
with this people. As congregation
they sing well and are led by choir
who give a good voicing of the Luth.
eran service. The full Common Ser
| vice Ia nsed and loved