The Democratic advocate., 1909-12-03
25th ANNIVERSARY
SERVICES WERE HELD EACH EVENING
DURING THE WEEK
History Of 81. PaHPS Reformed Con.
gregatIOn

The twenty-ffth anniversary of st.
Paul's Reformed Church, Union
Bridge, was celebrated this week, the
first service having been held Sunday
morning. The opening sermon was
delivered by Rev. DIR. ID. A. Sonders,
OF Irwin, Pa, a former pastor. Rev.
Dr. c. S, Slagle, OF this city, preached
Sunday night. Service was held each
evening during the week up to and
including Friday. The ministers as
signed for these occasions were
Monday, Rev Dr. A. s. Weber, OF
Baltimore; Tuesday, Rev. X. o. Spes-
sard, Phi. d.. Of Mifiinburg. Pa, for
mer pastor; Wednesday, Rev M. l..
Firor, of Baltimore; Thursday, Rev
Fred Cook, of Mainville, Pa; Friday,
Rev. II. j McAlister, of Newburg. Pa,
former pastor, and Rev. 8. Schweit-
er. OF Ephrata, Pa.
At the regular annual meeting OF
the Reformed Chassis of Maryland
which convened at Taneytown, Md.
Thursday May 2Sth, 1885. Rev. A. s.
Weber, of Westminster, Md, offered a
resolution requesting that Reverend
Body to organize missions at Union
Bridge and New Windsor This reso-
luton was acted upon and passed, and
a committee appointed to organize
congregations at these places. Rev
A. S. Weber, j. G. Moss and II. Wissler
were appointed as the committee.
This committee at once entered upon
the duties assigned them, and within
a very short time after the action OF
Chassis 10 create mission at Union
Bridge, meeting of persons interest
ed In. the formation of congregation
was called and convened at the resi-
dence of Elder John NJ. Furney. Rev.
A. S. Weber was present and presided
over this meeting. A resolution was
passed to the effect that Chassis be
petitioned to grant permission 10 or
ganize congregation. This petition
was subsequently signed by twenty
two persons and forwarded to Rev.
William Roop, of Manchester, Nd,
president Of Chassis, with the request
that a special session OF Chassis be call
ed totmeet Gt Union Bridge. This spe-
cial session was at once called and met
In the Lutheran Church (which was
kindly rendered for the oceasion)
Thursday, July goth. 1886. There
we're present five ministers and three
elders. Rev. william Roop. presi-
dent; Rev. s. s. Miller. secretary;
Rev. T. r. Eschbach, ID. D., Rev A. s..
Weber. and Rev. T.. II. DERRICK. Elders
Taylor. Mottef, Cronise and p. b.
Mikesell. Tafs Reverend Body au-
thorized the organization OF what 10
now known as St Paul's Reformed
Congregation. Union Bridge, Md, and
at the same time attached the congre-
cation TO be organized TO the Middle
burg charge. II was also understood
at this meeting that at the next regu-
lar session of Chassis proposition
would be offered to change the name
of the charge from Middleburg TO
Union Bridge. Wednesday evening
previous to the convening OF the extra
session Of Chassis, Rev. A. s. Weber
preached in the Lutheran Church TO
a very large and attentive congrega-
ton, and Rev William Roop preached
to an equally large one on Thursday
evening. Rev. G. l.. r Fisher, pastor
OF the Lutheran Church, assisted at
these services. II is proper TO state
here that the choir connected with
the Lutheran Church sang upon both
the above mentioned occasions, for
which a vote of thanks was rendered
granted permission, arrangements
we're at once made to effect a perma-
nent organization Therefore service
was announced for Sunday. August
10th, 1885, and at the same time or
ganize the congregation. A meeting
of persons who intended 10 connect
themselves was held at the residence
OF Elder John NJ. Fuhrney Saturday.
as A -.
A. s. Weber and Rev. Fl. Wissler OF
the committee were present. AT this
meeting certificates OF dismissal we're
received and officers elected. A con-
stitution which had previously been
prepared by Rev A. s. Weber was
unanimously adopted. II was also
unanimously declared at this meeting
that the congregation be known as
st. Paul's Reformed Church. Union
Bridge, Md. On the following morn
ing Sunday services were held in
the Lutheran Church, and twenty
three persons we're enrolled as mem
bers. The sermon upon this occasion
was preached by Rev. A. S. Weber.
The church was well filled and the au-
dience orderly. After the sermon the
following officers we're ordained and
installed viz John M. Fuhrney,
Elder; Thomas Hughes, Elder; VIM.
II. Morningstar Deacon, and j. w.
Dehoff, Deacon. Subsequently John
M, Fuhrney was elected president of
the consistory, Thomas Hughes, sec
retary, and William II. Morningstar,
treasurer.
A choir has previously been formed
and sang for the first time in public
upon this occasion. Thomas Hughes
was elected leader, and Miss Mary G..
Shower organist. II was thought best
not to continue having services in the
Lutheran Church, therefore the Town
Hall was secured for the use of the
congregation and services held there
every two weeks. The committee OF
supply either preaching themselves or
sending some one to I'LL the regular
appointments.
Finally a congregational meeting
held September 4th, 1885 1t was re-
solved to build house of worship.
Dr. J. w Dehoff, VIM III. Morningstar
and Oliver Stonesifer were elected q
committee to secure a lot. and erect
a chapel Every member Of the con-
gregation was authorized TO solicit
funds to carry on the work The COM
mittee at once purchased lot OF
ground on West Broadway from Fur
ney and MorniHgstar. Ground was
broken Monday morning, October 10,
1886. Bro. John Hesson, Sra aged "A
years and the Oldest member of the
congregation, removed the hrst earth.
Rev. D. A. Saunders who graduated
from the Seminary Of the Reformed
Church at Lancaster, Pa, In May 1885,
accepted call from Union Bridge
charge and became pastor 6f ST. Paui's