Page:Historical and Biographical Annals of Columbia and Montour Counties, Pennsylvania, Containing a Concise History of the Two Counties and a Genealogical and Biographical Record of Representative Families.pdf/392

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COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

mcnt to crcct a more contmodious hou:>e of worship. A resolution passed the congrega­ tion to erect an English Lutheran chiinm, but this aroused a strong opposition on the part of the German element. The question o f a suita­ ble site also caused much division in the con­ gregation. which w as almost equally divided between a site on the south and one on the north side of the town, with a slight leaning towards the north side. A lot w as purchased on the north side, but the excitement con­ tinued. It is a significant fact that the church records contain the statement that the pastor preached his farewell sermon M ay r i, 1856, after a pastorate o f over six years. In Ju ly , the congregation, in connec­ tion with the Ihtck A’allcy congregation, called Kev. M. J. Stover, who entered upon the work Sept. 28. 1856. A t the first communion under the new pastor but 1 1 5 communicants at­ tended. The question o f a new building was again agitated, and the old feeling w as again aroused. T he movement w as pushed forward, however, and on M ay 4, 1858, the cornerstone o f Ihe present Pine Street l.utheran Church w as laid, and in February o f 1859 the congre­ gation occupied the basement. Rev. Mr. Stover resigned in i86o, to take effect on the 1st o f September. The problem that had confronted the con­ gregation for several years w as solved, but as is so often the case at the cost o f a division, which ultimately resulted in another Lutheran church in Danville. A fte r Rev. M r. Stover left, came Kev. E. Hul>cr. who served but six months, and was followed by Rev. P. P. l,ane, who remained two years. During the latter’s term the church was completed and dedicated. The next pastor was Rev. E. A. Sharrets, who ministerc<i two and a half years. H e was fo l­ lowed by Rev. George M. Rhoads, who labored with much acceptability for four years. Mr. Rhoads married, during his pastorate. M iss Harriet Reynolds, o f Danville, who at this writing sur'ives him. F o r two years after the departure o f Mr. Rhoads Kev. U riah Graves ministered to the congregation. On Dec. 14, 1873. Rev. M. L. Shindel became pastor of the church, and served it with all the zeal, earnestness and conscientiousness of the true disciple o f Jesu s Christ which he was, until his death. Mr. ShindcPs pastorate was long and faithful. H is congregation seemed to be his children, and like a loving parent he nurtured and cared for them. I Ic could say as the beloved John sa id : " I have no greater jo y than to hear that my

children walk in truth.” T he congregation loved M r. Shindel, and pastor and people la­ bored together for the upbuilding of the church and the cause of the Redeemer. M r. Shindel resigned M ay 7, 1906, owing to age and infirmities, but the congr^ation refused to let him go, made him pastor emeritus, and elected Kcv. Lloyd W. W alter as pastor’s assistant, on M ay 27th. But the aged [>astor did not long remain w'ilh them, fo r on Aug. 4th of the same year he passed to his rcw'ard. K ev. M r. W alter served the con gr^atiou W'ith zeal and cncigy for three years, resign­ ing Ju ly 12, 1909. t'rom then until the com ­ ing of the present pastor. Rev. J. H. Musselnum. services were held in the church by R ev. D. B. Floyd. Rev. J. I L Musselman w as in.stalled N ov, 1 , 11)09, and has done much for the diurch since his arrival in this field. In this year o f 19 14 the church has been completely repainted and remodeled, the interior l^ing frescoed and a number o f memorial windows pbccd. A new pipe organ w as installed, electric lighting adopted, and an innovation in the church fit­ tings mAde, that o f a hardwood fioor, carpets being dispensed with as unsanitar)*. T he total cost of the work was upwards o f $7,000. S i x ­ teen vears l>cfore, the furniture of the church had been replaced, and this w as allowed to remain, being given the necessary repairs and revarnishing. The completed church was ujKned in 1914. The officers of the church in 19 14 a re : E l­ ders— S. W crkhciscr, Charles Hauver, Ellis Raup, S. A. McCoy. Trustees—Joseph Breitenbaugh, Arthur I^w rencc. Jacob Fish, cPui o f Bloomshurg for some lime prior to 1828 officiating every alternate Sunday at these public services. A t that time a m ove­ ment w*as started to build a union church, the Lutheran and Episcopalian c o n g r ^ t io n s be­ ing the prime movers in this attempt. T hey succeeded in their efforts, and on Oct. 23. 1828. the cornerstone of the church w as laid, the completed structure being opened on Oct. 25, 1829.

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