The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1950-11-30

While going through file of old
papers recently, 1 came across the
following article on the growth of
ST. Johns Lutheran Church, in the
May Z, 1891, issue of the Daily
News.
The church was organized in ITO
and its first pastor was the Rev. Mr..
WITHDRAW. Within one year after its
organization it had one hundred and
sixty communicates, and year later,
two hundred and seventy-one.
From 1772 to 1779 the pastor was
the Rev. Mr.. Young, and it is be-
lieved that the first edifice was built
during his pastorate. In 1772 a col
lection amounting to 127 pounds, 10
shillings 6 pence, sterling, was taken
to purchase an organ. The records
are missing for the next eleven
years, except that in December, 1871,
the congregation held lottery for
raising nine hundred and sixty-five
dollars.
The trustees were: Peter Hoe
fitch, Henry Shyrock, Peter Wolff,
Baltzer Coll, David Harry and Jacob
Harry; and the managers were: Will
liam and John Lee, Rein Davis,
Alex ander Claggett, Nathaniel
Rochester, Henry Schnebley, Will
liam Reynolds, Melcher Beltzhoover,
John Geiger, John Protzman, Adam
OFT, Michael Kapp, George Woltz,
John Raglan, Abram Leider, Robert
Hughes, Henry SHREDDER, Henry
Eckart, William Van Lear, Jacob
Miller, Frederick Stemple, Philip
Entler and John Ney.
During the century and more of
its existence, the church has had
IA regular pastors and four temper
airy supplies. The old pastors took
a prominent part in the organization
of the General Synod, and it was
in st. Johns Church that the dele
gates from the Pennsylvania, Mary
land and North Carolina Synods met
on the goth of October, 1920, to
adopt it's constitution. st. Johns
congregation furnished the largest
bonafde sum $2500-to secure the
establishment of the General Theo-
logical Seminary.
There was no carpet on the floor
in the old church, and it was I'M
heated, it being considered improper
that the congregation should enjoy
the comfort of a fire while listening
to the minister and performing their
devotions. The collection bags were
attached to rods about 10 feet in
length and had a silken tassi1 and
bell which was used to attract the
attention of sleepy and inattentive
members.
In 1890, the work of remodeling
began under the supervision of Mr..
j. D. Middlekauff as contractor, and
the renovated building was dedicated
in April 1891. The sermon on that
occasion was delivered by Rev. T.
w. Conrad, D. D. LID, a former
pastor, and in the evening of that
Sabbath, DIR. Charles Stork, who
has since passed onward, filed the
pulpit.
Hagerstown's famous Company B
was actually organized back in the
early 1905 and was in those days
known as the Hagerstown Light In
fantry Co., of the Maryland National
Guard. They used to hold their
meetings in the Roulette building on
North Jonathan Street, just around
the corner from Franklin Street,
and here is complete roster of the
officers and men.
Officers: H. Kyd Douglas, cap
tain; Samuel F. Croft, first lieuten-
ant; Alex M. Roberts, second lieut.
enant.
Non commissioned officers: John
L. Bike, sergeant major; P. A. Wit
mer, orderly sergeant; D. w. Crow
ther, ordnance sergeant; NJ H. Fell
heimer and William P. Lane, SER
geants; J. c. Roulette, James Ham
mond, S. A. Suter, G.. N. Harbaugh,
John u. Adams, A. E. Hoover,
Emanuel Highbarger and E. M.
Ccbipdo1 nOry,oroIc. ToI,x DaI4u -