The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1908-09-25
of the services were held in the lecture

On September 4th 1892, one OF the
most important meetings in the his
tory of the congregation was held. At
this meeting the following action was
taken.
ITO the Rev. Maryland Classis:-
Being convinced of the importance
of the welfare of the Reformed Church
in Westminster, of having regular SER
vices every Lords day and the un-
divided ministrations Of a pastor, we,
the members of st. Pauls Church, of
Westminster, Md, hereby overture
your reverend body to sever our re-
lations with Benjamin's or Krider's
Church and to constitute the West
minister congregation by itself, the
division to take effect Nov. 1st of this
year and also to make such provis-
ion for Benjamin's Church by re-
construction of the Silver Run and
Manchester charges as may be for the
welfare of Benjamins Church and
the best interests of the charge AFFECT
ed by this reconstruction.
In response to this overture a
meeting of Chassis was held in Ben
jamin's Church on Sep. 23rd, and
after a careful consideration of the
objections made and the difficulties in
the way of the proposed action and
thorough discussion of the interests
affected, the Chassis decided to grant
the request. Benjamin's Church was
separted from Westminster, St Mat
thew's in Pleasant Valley from the
Silver Run charge, and Jerusalem
Church in Bachman's Valley from the
Manchester Charge. These three
churches were then formed into new
! ~Is 4. nd
Charge. This was an important step
forward for the Reformed Church IN
Carroll county and subsequent events
have shown that 1T assisted greatly In
the development of the churches al
fected by the reconstruction.
In November, Immediately after the
separation of Krider's and this con-
gregation, the parsonage was sold at
public sale and was bought by the
church at Krider's for the sum OF
$500.
This congregation then decided to
begin building new parsonage In the
Spring,
The following account of an incl
dent that happened during the follow
ing Winter is taken from the minutes
of the Consistory.
1893. between 9 and 10 o'clock at
night storm of unusual violence ac-
companied with rain and sleet arose.
In a very short time the storm de-
yeloped into a tornado which did much
damage in the city. Our own prop
erty was not spared. The graceful
and beautiful steeple which surmount-
ed our Church was swept off Of its
base to the ground. 1t fell clear of
the Church, striking the ground on
the side of the Church towards the
parsonage, where it lies aL7heapl OF
ruins. When it was wrenched from
Its base, some of the cap stones which
ornamented the brick work at the top
of the tower were loosened and fell
crashing through the roof and ceiling
into the organ loft The roof of the
church was much damaged by part
of the roof of a house on the square
being carried upon it. Many of the
enameled glass windows were broken
by the force of the wind and by pieces
of timber and slate being hurled
against them. While the loss Is seri-
GUS, especially at this time when we
are about to begin the building of a
new parsonage, we have reason to be
thankful to our Heavenly Father that
in His good and wise Providence, no
lives were lost and the church was
spared from total ruin. Had the storm
occurred during the hour OF service
some of the members of the choir
would certainly have been injured
and very probably killed. And had
the steeple fallen upon the church,
the latter would have been crushed.
For the almost miraculous escape
from loss of life and the total des-
truction of the church we have reason
to be very thankful" The organ was
uninjured. 1t was decided to extend
the brick work of the tower far
enough to provide for belfry and
to finish it in pyramidal form.
| In the Spring, work upon the par
sonage was begun and the building
was finished by September.
In June, 1899, the church was re-
frescoed and recarpeted. In connec-
ton with these improvements beau
tiful cross and vases were presented
by Mr.. John L. Reifsnider, to the glory
of God and in memory Of his mother,
Apolonia Reifsnider, who was de-
voted member Of the church.
In August, 1905, the Sunday School
room was frescoed and carpeted. The
last improvement in the property OF
the church was the installation, dur
| ing the past summer, of water mo-
tor for the organ and the construction
of concrete steps at the entrance OF
the church.
The narrative which I have given
does but slight justice to the history
of the past forty years. That history
is written in the love and devotion and
self sacrifice of those of our breth-
rem who were engaged in this work,
most of whom have entered into their
rest. 1t is right for us to honor the
memory of those who have gone be-
fore us by meditating upon their work.
This is a duty that we owe not only
to them but to ourselves. Rejecting
upon what has been done for us will
help us to realize our responsibilities
and the duties that we owe to those
who will come after us. When we
consider the fact that this congrega-
ton was the last one organized IN this
city and the last to become self sup
porting we may we'll wonder that SO
much has been accomplished. These
things have been done only under the
blessing of God by the liberal giving,
the devotion and self sacrifice OF Its
members. Those of you who have
had the privilege of taking part in
this work of the past and whose lives
have been spared to see the fruits OF
your labors may we'll be thankful.
| That yonr uoavon1y Father has vet