File:Ancient and historic landmarks in the Lebanon Valley (1895) (14596699257).jpg

Identifier: ancienthistoricl00phil (find matches)
Title: Ancient and historic landmarks in the Lebanon Valley
Year: 1895 (1890s)
Authors: Croll, P. C. (Philip Columbus), 1852-1949
Subjects:
Publisher: Philadelphia : Lutheran Publication Society
Contributing Library: The Library of Congress
Digitizing Sponsor: Sloan Foundation

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le danger connected with church-goinghere when this first pastor was yet officiating, for wehave records that frequently the people were obliged tobring their guns along to be ready to defend themselvesagainst the attacks of the savages. This church is the mother of all Lutheran andReformed congregations in this vicinity. Whether itwas Reformed from the very beginning the writer can-not positively assert, but we find both branches of theseoft-united portions of the German Protestant churchworshiping here as early as 1744. From a history ofthe churches in Lebanon county, given by Dr. Geo.Loch man in 1812, we learn that the congregation wasgathered as early as 1733, and is the oldest church in (308) A VISIT TO HILL CHURCH. 309 the county. According to its earliest records kept, itwas called the Church on the Ouittapahilla, thoughit seems now quite a little distance from this stream.The first building consisted of a rudely constructededifice of logs. There were also hewn log^s for seats.
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THK HILL CHUKCII (-IJURG KIRClIli;. and a most primitive construction served as pulpit.The building had no floor, and there were in it nostoves for a long time, according to the prevailing cus-tom of the warmer clime of the native country of theseGerman worshippers. In the coldest wantry months awood-fire of logs was built on the outside of the church,around which the assembled congregation would sit 3IO LANDMARKS IN THE LEBANON VALLEY. awaitine the arrival of the minister. Even when thecongregation could well afford such a luxury as a wood-stove, its introduction is said to have met with consid-able opposition. There was a rack provided for storingaway their guns during worship, though frequently afew of the members stood as weaponed sentinels at thechurch doors while worship was being conducted. Thepresent brick building was erected in 1837, ^^ being thethird edifice. The following Lutheran pastors have served thischurch : Rev. John Casper Stoever, i733-i779- Rev. Frederick Theodore

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