Historical Collections Relating to Gwynedd (Pennsylvania)
By Howard M. Jenkins
Second Edition
1897
Chapter 23. St. Peter's Church
No other settled place of worship than the Friends's meeting existed in Gwynedd until the Revolution. Those who were Baptists had their membership at Montgomery; any Episcopalians there might have been went to St. Thomas's Church, at Whitemarsh; and Schwenkfelders had their meeting in Towamencin. But the body of German residents of the township, by the time of the Revolution, were of the Palatinate immigration from the upper Rhine, and were either Lutheran or German Reformed. They had within their reach the churches in Whitpain and Worcester. The German Reformed members went to Boehm's Church which was founded at least as early as 1740, or to Wentz's Church, in Worcester; while the Lutheran Church of St. John's in Whitpain, above Centre Square, dates back to 1770. In all of these the Gwynedd people were interested: Michael Henkey (Haenge?), George Gossinger, Adam Fleck, and Peter Young, of Gwynedd, were of the building committee of St. John's, in 1773, and Abram Danehower was one of the trustees to whom the committee conveyed the property.
About 1772, however, a movement had begun to build a church in Gwynedd, for the joint use of the Lutheran and German Reformed members. In that year, Philip Heist bought of Abraham Lukens, sen., 51 acres of land, on the northeasterly side of the turnpike, below North Wales, where the old burying-ground now is. Half an acre of his land he gave for the site of a church, and although he omitted, for some reason, to make a deed, a building was erected on it before 1780. In that year his executors made a deed, dated June 10th, for the ground, reciting that "the same is intended, and is hereby granted to remain for religious purposes: that is to say, for a church of worship already erected thereon for the use of the High Dutch Lutheran and the High Dutch Reformed, or Presbyterian congregations," etc. It is said that this first building was a small frame edifice. It stood, no doubt, on the same spot where subsequently the large stone church of 1817 (torn down a few years ago, when both congregations had secured new buildings at North Wales), was erected.
To provide even the small house of frame doubtless taxed the resources of both congregations. It is the tradition that the first preachers held services in the open air, on the hillside where Heist's farm lay. This, however, could have been but temporary, for the reasons already stated, that Boehm's and Wentz's. at no great distance, supplied sanctuaries for the Reformed, and St. John's for the Lutherans.
The records of both congregations at St. Peter's are very limited. No early minute books are now discoverable, and it is even impracticable to give the names of the pastors of the Reformed congregation. For a list of the Lutheran pastors, notes concerning them, and other data, I am indebted to Rev. George Diehl Foust, who is now, 1884, in charge. The first pastor of whom we have knowledge (there must have been others earlier) was Rev. Anthony Hecht. He officiated from 1787 until 1792. In a record of holy communion, administered July 13, 1788, that day is called "the day of consecration," which suggests that for some reason the church must have been used some time before it was consecrated. In a marriage record, made October 15, 1788, the church is spoken of as the "North Wales Congregation."
The next pastor was Rev. Jacob Van Buskirk, who began about 1793. He was born at Hackensack, N.J., February 11, 1739. It is said that he came to his death suddenly, August 5, 1800. He was about to start for church, and was in the act of mounting his horse, when the Master whom he served called him. He lies buried near where stood the altar of the church in which he officiated. [Mr. Van Buskirk owned the farm at Gwynedd Station, recently the estate of Rudolphus Kent now [1896] the property in part of Charles Roth. At his death, he left a wife and ten children. His widow subsequently married Philip Hahn.]
Next was Rev. Henry Geisenhainer. The length of his pastorate cannot be determined; but there is a record showing that while here he was married to Ann Maria Sherer by Rev. F. W. Geisenhainer, pastor of New Goshenhoppen Church.
Next in the list is Rev. S. P. F. Kramer, and following him is Rev. "Whalebone," which must be Rev. C.F. Wildbahn, D.D., who is buried at Centre Square. After him was Rev. J.H. Rebenach, from 1805 to 1811. (During his pastorate occurred the murder of Henry Weaver, at whose burial he officiated, and of which he made a brief record. )[This was a famous event in the local annals. As he passed along the road, Henry Weaver was shot by some person concealed behind a corn shock in a field beside it. The time was the dusk of evening, October 5, 1805, the place on the State road, just at the turn near the Gwynedd-Montgomery line. The victim was the son of George Weaver, the Montgomery Square hotel-keeper. A man who was believed to have done the deed lived near by and soon after killed himself. Both Henry Weaver and he were buried in the old St. Peter's churchyard.]
Next appear the names of Revs. David and Solomon Schaeffer. They lived at Germantown, and must have held service here, though it could have been only temporarily.
The next pastor was Rev. John K. Weiand, from 1812 to 1826. He was the last pastor to officiate in the old frame structure. During his time the need of a new church was felt, for the winds and storms of nearly forty years had seriously affected the frail temple of worship. Rev. Mr. Foust has [1884] the original subscription book for the building of the second church. It is a large volume of sixty pages, and is kept very systematically. The first page, after expressing the object of the subscription states that the managers will build the new church "as soon as $3,000 are subscribed." It is dated November 8, 1815. The collectors were George Neavil, who collected $1, 967; Jacob Kneedler, who collected $745.50; Conrad Shimmel, who collected $298.50; Joseph Knipe, and Philip Lewis. Among the subscribers were Jacob Schwenk, Philip Hurst, Joseph Knipe, John Martin, Adam Fleck, Abraham Danehower, Jacob, George, Joseph, Adam, Samuel and Daniel Kneedler, Christian Rex, Henry Hallman, and many others. When they began to build is not recorded, but on the last page of the subscription book is the following receipt: "Rec'd, May 27th, 1817, of the church wardens the sum of seventy-three dollars, being collected on the day the corner stone was laid. John Hurst." Nor is it known when the work was finished. The church was built of stone, much larger than the first one. It was plastered over, and it is said, was painted yellow; hence it was soon called the "Yellow Church," and in later day, "the Old Yellow Church." The interior was high, and had a high "goblet: pulpit, of old-fashioned style, in which the preacher perched himself far above the heads of his hearers. It also had galleries on three sides of the building.
The next pastor was Rev. George Heilig. He began October 22, 1826, and continued until 1843, the longest pastorate in the history of the church. During his time an organ was introduced into church service; Samuel Kneedler was organist, and Abraham Danehower was leader of the choir. Hitherto the service had been all in the German language, but the necessity of English service was now recognized, and the pastor introduced it. For a time he officiated alternately in each language. During this pastorate the Sunday-school was organized, of which some notes are given below. Mr. Heilig went from here to Hamilton, Monroe County, Pennsylvania, and died at Catasauqua, in September, 1869.
The next pastor was Rev. Jacob Medtart, from 1843 to 1855. He was unable to preach in German, and during his time the sermon in that language was discontinued. The service has been entirely in the English language since that time. Following Mr. Medtart was Rev. John W. Hassler, who had charge from 1856 to 1862, when he resigned to become chaplain in the army. (He was, in 1884, pastor at New Holland, Pa.) From 1863 to 1867, during the trying times of the war, when political feeling ran high, Rev. P.M. Rightmyer officiated. (He now, 1884, lives in Brooklyn, N.Y.) In 1868, Rev. Ezra L. Reed, now [1884] at Lancaster, Pa., succeeded. Mr. Reed was the last preacher in the second church. Half a century had passed since it had been built, and it needed repairs. The Reformed congregation had decided to leave it, and to build a church of their own in the town of North Wales near by. The Lutheran congregation, after due discussion, resolved upon the same course. March 1, 1867, subscription books were opened, and a site having been obtained in the borough, the corner stone of the present church was laid June 6, 1868. The work of erection was completed the following year, and on January 1, 1870, the service of dedication was performed, Rev. J.W. Hassler preaching from Psalms cxxvi, 4.
From the beginning, up to this time, St. Peter's Lutheran congregation had been connected with St. John's, at Centre Square, one pastor serving both, but in 1870 this arrangement was dissolved, and each church now had its own pastor. Since 1870, [down to 1884] the pastors at St. Peter's have been: Rev. Lewis G.M. Miller, 1874-75; Rev. Wm. H. Myers, 1876-78; Rev. Theophilus Heilig, 1878-80; and Rev. George Diehl Foust, who entered upon his pastorate July 1, 1880.
The records, as already mentioned, are imperfect. They show, however, lists of nearly 1,000 infant baptisms, over 100 adult baptisms, and nearly 600 confirmations. The Sunday-school was organized early in the pastorate of Rev. Geo. Heilig, --probably about 1831 or '32. The first superintendent was Noah Snyder; after him his brother Oliver Snyder. A record book that has been preserved shows the existence of a library for the use of the school, in 1837, and also shows that in July of that year there were 10 teachers and 60 scholars in attendance. In June, 1840, John B. Johnson became a member of the church, and shortly after was made superintendent of the Sunday-school. He served in that capacity nearly thirty years, Charles Hallman being his assistant during the last six years. The sessions were held in the afternoon. The first open-air celebration ever held in this neighborhood was given by the Sunday-schools of St. Peter's and St. John's. It took place in a woods which then stood above where the Franklinville school-house now stands, in July, 1841. Many people attended, and there were speeches and singing. The celebrations occurred frequently after that. For eight years preceding the preparation of these pages [1884] Abel K. Shearer has been superintendent of the school, and its present membership is about 150.
Only a few details can be furnished concerning the Reformed congregation that used the two old churches jointly with the Lutherans. As has been stated, the arrangement subsisted from the beginning until the new churches were built, about 1869-70, in North Wales borough, and during the hundred years it appears to have been satisfactory to both congregations. Each occupied the church in turn, and neither disturbed the other.
One of the pastors of the Reformed congregation was Rev. John George Wack, who is still well remembered by the older people. He was a picturesque figure, a man of marked character and a practical Christian. For many years he was pastor of Boehm's and Wentz's churches, and from 1834 to 1845 he preached regularly at St. Peter's. He had a farm and mill in Whitpain, and labored diligently with his own hands for the support of his family, besides preaching for at least three different congregations during most of his life. He was a classical scholar, wrote easily in Latin, was familiar, of course, with German, as well as English, was very fond of music, and built an organ with his own hands. "In personal appearance he was of medium size, and erect; in habits orderly, frugal, and laborious. He character for childlike simplicity and unsuspecting confidence was remarkable." In 1802 he took charge of both Wentz's and Boehm's; in 1806 he extended his care also to the distant church at Hilltown, Bucks county. These charges he retained until 1828, when he surrendered Hilltown; In 1834 he gave up Boehm's, and began to preach at St. Peter's, as already mentioned; In 1845, after forty-three years ministry at Wentz's, he closed his active service, though he preached occasionally to the Gwynedd congregation, later. [This incident, related to me on the best authority, concerns good Parson Wack, and another most excellent and courageous man, -Dr. Antrim Foulke. Late in the summer --about August or September -- of 1829, a bad fever prevailed through Gwynedd and adjoining townships. It was perhaps typhoid, was very fatal, worst along the streams, marked by ague, etc. Near Wack's mill was a family, "very bad off," and all had come down with it. The dread of fever was great, and nurses could not be had. Mr. Wack, however, helped them devotedly, and Dr. Foulke gave his constant medical care. One day the two men stood beside the bed of a girl, one of the family, who was desperately ill. She had no nurse, and needed instant attention, if her life was to be saved. "Well, George," said Dr. Foulke, "if thee will help me, we will move her, and change her bed clothing, and her own clothing. It is simply a question of life or death." Father Wack did not hesitate; he was simply too brave a Christian for that; the two men, alone, performed the unpleasant duty, and the sick girl, thus helped, afterward recovered. But Dr. Foulke went home with "the fever on him," and said at once that he was marked for sickness. He lay for six weeks, much of the time critically ill. He arm began to mortify, but before it had progressed, he noted the symptom himself, and saw that his case was at a desperate turn. Sending Tom Wolf, his faithful black man, to the woods for sassafras roots, he had them made into an enormous poultrice, and instantly applied. The flesh of the arm sloughed off, but, thanks to a very strong constitution and the care of his wife, -- a skillful nurse, and one of the most devoted of wives, --he regained his health.]
Mr. Wack was the son of Rev. Casper and Barbara Wack, of Bucks county. He died in 1856, aged eighty, and is buried at Boehm's. During his long pastorate he is said to have married seven hundred and twenty-four couples, preached five thousand times, baptized a thousand infants, and confirmed an equal number of catechumens. His son, Rev. Charles P. Wack, is a distinguished minister of the Reformed church; his daughter Abigail married Philip S. Gerhard; his daughter Amanda married Rev. Alfred B. Shenkle.