Valley Girl Views: The Churches Of Early Watsontown Pa

The Early Churches Of Watsontown PA

In Watsontown Memorial Park is a memorial to the Warrior Run Church. The first building for the Warrior Run congregation was a log structure built at that location in 1775. That building was burnt to the ground by Seneca Indians in the great runaway of 1778. The congregation built a new log church on the grounds where the Warrior Run Church sits today, near the Warrior Run High School. In 1833, that church was also lost in a fire [unknown origin] and the present day brick building was erected in 1835.

In the borough of Watsontown, five early church buildings still remain.

The Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian & U.C.C. The Methodist church building is no longer used as a church, but the other 4 buildings still have active congregations.

This is not meant to be a complete history of any of the churches, merely a compilation of stories, histories, and photos for each.

The Baptist Church
Congregation Formed in 1840, First Building in Watsontown Began Construction in 1870

From The Anniversary Edition Of The Record & Star

The Presbyterian Church

Congregation formed 1869, Building Constructed 1875-1876

News Clipping From The Anniversary Edition Of The Record & Star

1869 Congregation formed and met at the old Academy building on first street (later the poor house)
Served on alternate Sunday afternoons by Rev. Samuel P. Heron of the Warrior Run Church, and Rev Frederick Kolb of the McEwensville Church
1871 Permanent organization instigated
Rev. J.C. Watson D.D. appointed by Presbytery to preach at Watsontown, with the object of organizing a Presbyterian Church
Was without a regular pastor until 1874 when they joined with Warrior Run & McEwensville to call the Rev. George Elliot.
Did not have their own building, but "were tenants of the Methodist & Baptist congregation respectively"
The Ladies Mite Society of the First Presbyterian Church earned the money to build the church
First Trustees - Samuel Caldwell, Philip Shay, James L. Schooly
Began building church in 1875 - completed in 1876

The Union, Later Lutheran, Church

A view of Main Street, showing the original Lutheran Church Spire on the left.

FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH According to the earliest records of First Evangelical Lutheran Church a meeting was held at the Academy Building on February 17, 1866 to appoint a committee consisting of Peter Schaeffer, Silas Rambach, E. Everitt, Philip Winterstein and William H. Follmer to solicit subscriptions. On March 21, 1866 it was unanimously agreed to purchase the two lots known as the Piper lots from Ario Pardee for the sum of $500. These lots were located on the northeast corner of Main and Fourth Streets. The subscriptions to that point amounted to $3,467.50. A building committee was elected at that meeting consisting of two members of the Reformed congregation, Peter Schaeffer and William H. Follmer; and two members of the Lutheran congregation, Samuel Miller and Samuel Witman. At a meeting of the building committee on April 5, 1866 at Goodman’s Store, the committee elected Peter Schaeffer president and by unanimous consent it was recommended to build a brick church 50 feet long and 36 feet wide, the height to be determined later.

On July 14, 1866 the Articles of Agreement were adopted by the Evangelical Lutheran and German Reformed congregations. These articles dealt with the name, the building, the use of the church, its upkeep, and the final manner of dissolution if that became desirable. The following day ground was broke for the new building and the church was named St. Bartholomew’s Evangelical Lutheran and German Reformed Church. The Union Church was dedicated on May 12, 1867. The Lutheran congregation at Watsontown was organized in 1867 or 1868 and was considered one station (parish) with two churches, St. Bartholomew’s and St. John’s (Delaware Run). The church was connected with the Susquehanna Synod of the Evangelical Church, the Synod being newly organized itself in 1867. In 1886, the Lutheran and Reformed congregations by friendly agreement dissolved their union and the Lutheran congregation purchased the Reformed interest in the Union Church. The old church was razed and the new building was constructed in 1886-87. The congregation also changed its name from St. Bartholomew’s to First Evangelical Lutheran Church. Those serving on the building committee of the present church included: George W. Rombach, Dr. J.H. Harley, Samuel M. Miller, Charles Heilman, Isaac Stryker and J.G. Bower. The cornerstone along with the old Union Church cornerstone was laid July 25, 1886 and the church was dedicated March 6, 1887. The cost of the building and grounds was $23,000. On the day of the dedication provision was made for the entire indebtedness, but owing to the financial depression of the town immediately after the dedication of the church, about $1,500 of the subscription was not paid, leaving a debt on the property of $1,500. On August 5, 1886 a notice of incorporation for First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Watsontown was published, “the character and objects of which is the worship of Almighty God according to the formula for the government and discipline of the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the United States of America.” The names of the subscribers to the certificate of organization were the Rev. F.W. Staley, S.M. Miller, G.W. Rombach, Thompson Bower, J.H. Harley, T.H. Kisner, Isaac Stryker, W.A. Nicely, Edward Waltman, E.M. McLain and J.M. Rhoads. In 1891 the present parsonage was built costing approximately $5,000. The old parsonage that was shared with the St. John’s Delaware Run located at 505 Ash Street was sold. In 1906 the new parsonage was wired for electricity and a steam plant was installed in 1910. In 1904 a pipe organ was added to the auditorium costing abut $3,000. This was made possible by a matching fund supplied by Andrew Carnegie whose desire it was to aid churches throughout Pennsylvania in the purchase of fine musical instruments. In 1923 the Brotherhood Bible Class excavated the church basement for social rooms. In 1926-27 an addition was built to the Sunday school, and the basement enlarged to include social rooms and a kitchen. An extensive program of renovation was started in the church sanctuary in 1941. The chancel was enlarged, the organ console brought down from the choir loft to the chancel, new chairs provided for the chancel choir. A new reredos, wood paneling and altar rail were provided and church pews replaced the old type opera seats. New carpet was laid in the sanctuary and new lighting fixtures were placed throughout. Metal radiator enclosures were also provided. The entire interior of the church was redecorated and the organ was rebuilt and chimes were added. In addition to this, the church steeple, which had been struck by lightening three times and was considered to be unsafe, was rebuilt into a modern tower design. The entire Sunday school and social rooms were refinished inside and outside, including sand blasting of the bricks of the church, and the painting of the woodwork of the church and parsonage. Rededication services were held December 14, 1941. In 1959 the sanctuary and Sunday school rooms were again completely renovated and redecorated. The altar and reredos were accented to create a “focal point.” The reredos panel was covered with a satin damask bossal in ecclesiastical designs of gold on a red background. A hanging sanctuary lamp was installed in the chancel area and side lights were installed to illuminate the altar and appointments. The Sunday school rooms were refinished and the parsonage kitchen renovated and modernized. In 1961 the councils of First Lutheran and St. John’s mutually agreed to divide the parish and on July 15, 1964 each council voted to make this separation effective September 13, 1964. The Reverend Lloyd Wilson was then installed as the first full time pastor of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Delaware Run. At the annual congregational meeting in January 1966 First Church approved a building and renovation program. A capital funds campaign was conducted in connection with the 100th anniversary celebration in May 1966 in which the congregation subscribed $53,000 during the succeeding 100 weeks in addition to the $22,000 on hand. Contracts were let and construction began August 1, 1966. It was substantially complete by Christmas 1966 when the congregation again occupied the newly renovated facilities. During construction the Sunday school met in the new facilities of the Methodist Church the hour after that congregation’s school met. First Presbyterian Church provided facilities for the church office. Final total cost of the program was $125,000. This included complete renovation of the educational facilities of the church providing 20 individual classrooms, three storage rooms, men’s and women’s choir robing rooms, a Sunday school office, church office, pastor’s sacristy, storage room, modern stairwell in the original building, church kitchen, Fellowship Hall, an addition at the rear of the building, modern rest rooms, new sidewalks and curbs around the church and parsonage, complete repainting of the church and parsonage and a new parsonage garage. New equipment for all classrooms, sacristy and Fellowship Hall was included. The altar painting of Christ in Gethsemene was placed as a memorial by the Ward Truckenmiller family in November, 1971. The new Lutheran Book of Worship were dedicated in October 1978. A number of the congregational members have answered the call to ordained ministry including: Rev. D.E. McLain, Rev. Charles A. Hoy, Rev. William I. Redcay, Rev. Hunter Watt, Rev. Otto G. Lantz, Dr. J.W. Shannon, Rev. Edmund Bieber, Rev. Eugene McVicker, Rev. Clarence Walck, Rev. Marvin Hoffman, and Rev. Wilson Dewald. Pastors serving First Lutheran Church include: Thomas C. Billheimer 1866-1869 William E. Swoope 1921-1924 Jacob B. Keller 1869-1871 Howard K. Hilner 1924-1932 P.S. Mack 1871-1873 Eugene S. Keller 1932-1940 Samuel P. Orwig 1873-1878 Harold A. Ahalt 1940-1961 Amos K. Zimmerman 1879-1882 Harry S. Bowman 1961-1971 Samuel G. Shannon 1882-1885 Harold R. Stoudt 1972-1977 F.W. Staley 1885-1890 Peter W. Fauerebach 1978-1982 M.H. Fishburn 1890-1894 Kenneth C. Louder 1983-1997 Albert O. Mullen 1894-1903 Terrence Goad 1998-2001 J.S. English 1904-1905 Wm. Stevens Shipman 2001-2007 Herbert D. Shimer 1905-1912 James Fladland 2009- M. Stanley Kemp 1912-1920 [The Milton Standard, August 11, 1967, pg 14, 37, 41; First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Watsontown, PA - 125th Anniversary Booklet, 1991]

See the Stained Glass Window Dedications Here:

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-stained-glass-window-dedicatios-at.html

The Pipe Organ in the church was partially funded by a grant from Andrew Carnagie

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2022/02/when-andrew-carnegie-helped-churches-by.html

The Methodist Church

The Watsontown Methodist church incorporated on December 6th 1870. [ Note for my own research- Many Truckenmillers listed in early records] Two lots located on East Third Street were purchased from Jesse Watkins for $725 on February 25, 1867, and the cornerstone was laid July 9 1871. The first floor of the building was complete in November of 1872, and the Episcopalians and Presbyterians used the building on Sunday afternoons, for their services.

In 1877, the second floor of the church was rented out for public school classes. [The church was struggling with debt at the time.]

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Watsontown dates its beginning back to 1857 at this time reverend Samuel Barnes was stationed at Milton during the winter months he felt held a meeting in “Thomas's” otherwise known as “swamp school house”. In 1858- 59 reverend AE Taylor and reverend Sewell preached here irregularly the first regular appointment was made in 1863. Joseph Hollopeter was made the leader of the class. Reverend Franklin Gearhart and S.C.swallow were pastors of the then called Milton circuit In the meantime the old Academy was built all church services for a time were held there a growing union Sunday school was held here miss Elizabeth Seiler now Mrs. Buck and Miss Jeanette Irwin now missus S.O. Malin canvassed the towns from money for a library and lamps. Heretofore everyone had carried their own lamps from home.

In 1866 the name of the circuit was changed to Chilisquaque circuit and it at the second quarterly meeting of that year held at mount Bethel a board of trustees was elected

Shortly after this lots were secured at the present location of the church the ladies of the church were formed into an aid society and during the holidays made almost enough money with a fair and festival to pay for the lots

The membership of the church had now reached 45 so a second class was formed Henry Miller was made its leader in 1871 Reverend J W Olewine became pastor of the church initial efforts were now made to build a church by the pastors untiring zeal the hope became a fact the cornerstone of the new church was laid July 9 1871 reverend W. F. Hawk and the pastor officiating in 1872 the lower room of the church was dedicated Bishop Thomas Bowman presiding , elder James Kearns and the Pastor being present. Surely the Lord was pleased with the building of the church for the next year under the continuous pastorate of reverend Olewine a great revival broke out from which 65 were taken into the church. Three more classes were formed with Alfred deal JF Meckley and Joseph Whitlock its leaders the church has continued to prosper since that time

In 1883 to 84 entering energy of reverend AE Taylor the debt against the church was cancelled December 20th 1885 through the efforts of Reverend DB Shields the upper room was finished and dedicated reverend SC swallow DD and Bishop Charles H Fowler officiating new paragraph In 1874 Watsontown was made a station but in 1879 Montandon was again put with it in 1886 it was again made a station and has continued so.

(See more on the Watsontown Record & Star Anniversary Edition, Page 5)

The Reformed Church

The reformed church first met in the Academy building, and later in a brick building built on the corner of 4th & Main (today the Lutheran Church)

That church was known as the St. Bartholomew’s Evangelical Lutheran and German Reformed Church

On July 17 1866, William Follmer, one of the larger financers of the church building project, drowned. His death set back the project, but the church was finally dedicated on May 12, 1867.

Both the Lutheran and Reformed congregations worshipped in this building until 1886, when the Reformed church purchased land from the Menges family to construct a new building.

The cornerstone for the new Reformed Church building was laid on July 4, 1886.

The church is built in Queen Anne Style, constructed of brick with a slate roof.