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History of St. Paul's Union Church
Indianland, Pennsylvania
Compiled by
Norman J. Hall
Approved by
The Joint Board of
St. Paul's Union Church
Beginning with the early period of 1700, the first settlements in Pennsylvania - the then called "Wm Penn's Wood"
were along the Delaware River in and around Philadelphia, which was the port of entry of the first settlers.
With Philadelphia as the stepping off point there was a gradual infiltration of the territory adjoining that point.
The only transportation was on foot or on horse, if the latter were available.
This territory was sparsely inhabitated by the indians, and they had only narrow trails through the dense forests,
which were called Indian trails, and were used by them in going from one hunting place to another. These trails usually
led from one good spring to another. The first settlers in this area were the Scotch - Irish who located near Weaversville in 1728.
With these white settlers enroaching on the domain of the Indians, there was natural resentment on the part of the latter.
The William Penn representatives, who were on good terms with the Indians, decided on a meeting which was held in 1735 at Pennsburg.
A treaty was made which resulted in the "Walking Purchase" in 1737. This "Walking Purchase" or expedition followed for the most part the early Indian trails,
and from the report, it is also known that horses were used.
With the consummation of the Walking Purchase, there arrived more settlers, mostly of German extration, who were leaving the
homeland on account of continual wars and religious persecution. They were of Lutheran and Reformed faith. The first mention of settlers arriving in what is now Lehigh Township
was made in 1738. In 1748 it was reported that a dozen families were living in the region south of the Blue Mountain, east of the Lehigh River, and west of the Irish settlement.
With the arrival of the first settlers, who were a very religoius people, and the gradual clearing of the dense forests, and building of temporary abodes,
their first thoughts were to establish a common meeting place for the purpose of worshiping God. They first met at individual homes and in 1748 made application to the Lutheran
Ministerium for a visiting pastor. It is conclusive that they has established a church as they call themselves "St. Paulus Kirche". This was a union church comprising Lutheran and Reformed members.
The exact location of the first meeting house built about 1848 is not known, but it is presumed to have been near the present location at Indianland. In 1756, the first log church was built
and we have good evidence of that as the old corner stone with the inscription "St. Paulus Kirche - 1756" is embedded in the foundation of the present edifice.
During the period 1750 to 1763 the inhabitants of Lehigh Township were compelled on several occasions to flee their homes and go to Bethlehem to avoid being
massacred by the Indians. The last Indian uprising was in 1763.
In the treaty with the Indians in 1758 there was allocated to the Indians a section of Lehigh Township which was bounded by the Lehigh River on the south and
beginning at a point on the river just north of Walnutport and extending eastward in a line which marked the boundary of the present church property on the south.
In a deed given by the William Penn Heirs in 1803, a tract of land comprising 71 acres was described as being a part of the manor called "Indianland" lot # 43.
Also in a deed dated 1832 given by a special act of assembly of the state of Pennsylvania for 7 acres of land on which was built the original church and which was surveyed in accordance
with application 2949 dated December 11, 1767; this latter 7 acre tract was also described as being bound on the south by "Indianland".
In 1773, Simon Dreisbach, who was a very influential citizen, who resided at Howersville, a member of the Reformed Church located on the hill west of Howersville
wrote the following letter to Rev. Helfrich, who was a Reformed preacher: "About 17 years ago when I first came here to live, there was irregular church attendance of divine service here, because
the preacher hardly came half the time. The people became disgusted when, after the service had been announced they came together and had to return to their homes again without a sermon. Accordingly,
the forefathers must have had churches in this region before 1750. Here is Indianland congregation along the Blue Mountain and the Lehigh River. They are hardly more than 9 or 10 men in this
congregation, and these are half Lutheran, with the best they can do, they cannot accomplish much." This clearly shows why the name Indianlandwas given as the location of St. Paul's Church.
After the last Indian uprising and the establishment of law and order more settlers came into Lehigh Township. As a result the small church erected in 1756 proved too small to take care of the increased membership.
In 1771 and 1772 there were several meetings held with the purpose of building a larger church and establishingan organist or "foresingers" home, which home was also used
for a secular school with the organist being the schoolmaster.
The present home of the organist was used in part as a school from 1845 when it was built, until 1867 when the present St Paul's school house was built.
There were four members of St. Paul's appointed as a building committee in 1771 to build a new church. During the period 1771 - 1772, there were several meetings of the building committee
of St. Paul's church, and German speaking residents of Allen Township held to discuss possibilities of abandoning St. Paul's Church at Indianland and Howersville Church to build a Union Church to take care of the
residents of Allen and Lehigh Townships. Members of the (Indian Creek) Howersville Church also attended.
The members of St. Paul's finally decided to rebuild the Indianland Church at its original location. The result was another log church, built in 1772. In the period
1830 - 1832, due to the increase of membership, it was found necessary to consider the construction of a larger building. In 1833, the third log church was built being a stone wall structure with a balcony
along three sides of the church.
This type of church was called a "Board Kirche" in German. The idea of segregation was followed out to the fullest extent. On the first or main floor the older men had one part, the older
ladies had another part, the younger married men had another part, the younger married ladies had another part. The balcony was used only by the unmarried members, with the boys on one side and the girls on the other side;
with the boys being able to look down on the mens side and the girls to look down on the ladies section of the main floor.
In 1872, a movement was started to build a new church. After several years of fruitless meetings it was finally decided to erect the fourth church building, the walls of which were to be brick.
The following is from the memoirs of Mr. Edwin Gable, member of the building committee. It is an account of what transpired about the time of the corner stone laying - June 4th., 1876.
After the centennial festival of the founding of St. Paul's was held, the people began to talk more again of building a new church. Consequently, in the month of 1873, several congregational meetings were held
in St. Paul's Church when this matter was pretty throughly discussed. Rev. R.B. Kistler, served as President of these meeting and J.H. Berlin, as secretary. Resolutions were adopted to the effect that a new church should be built
during the year of 1873. Collectors were appointed who gathered subscriptions to the amount of $8400.00. The church should not cost over $15,000.00 and the work of rebuilding should not commence until $10,000.00 was subscribed.
A majority of the members in the western part of the territory refused to subscribe until they knew how the church was to be built. Four-fifths of the remaining members subscribed according to their means without asking a question and
wished to determine on the location and structure of the church after the requisite amount was subscribed. But the rest would not yeild and so the matter was frustrated.
On the 16th day of August, 1873, the two church councils met in the school house of St. Paul's Church and resolved that the people should determine by their subscriptions or contributions, whether the new
church should have a gallery on three sides, or only on one opposite the pulpit, etc.
On the 20th day of September, 1873, the collectors who had been appointed, handed in their subscription books from which it appeared that $8291.50 was subscribed for a gallery on three sides and $8317.50
for an end gallery. It was resolved by both councils that an election should be announced by both pastors for Saturday, the 18th of October, 1873, when the members of the church should elect: a building committee of five and a treasurer;
should also decide by vote of what material the church was to be built; and whether the congregation itself should do the building or give it out by contract. The meeting was held and 128 votes were cast. The following were elected as the building
committee: Peter Schaeffer, Joseph Fogel, John Hower (Lutheran), Jacob Benninger, Stephen Graver (Reformed), and Thomas Kuntz, Treasurer. By a majority of 17, it was decided that the congregation itself should do the building. In regard to the
material, no vote was taken. It was now believed work would go on: nevertheless, many disaffected ones frustrated the project once more.
During the years 1874 - 75, several attempts were made principally by the church councils to build a new church, but, without success. On the 25th and 28th of January, 1876, after being announced twice
congregational meetings were held in St. Paul's Church with reference to the building of a church. Each meeting was opened with singing and prayer. The following officers were elected by the convention: President, Thomas Kuntz; Vice Presidents,
the elders, Daniel Kuntz, Edwin Gable, Abraham Backman, and James Andreas; Secratary, Rev. Kistler. It was unanimously RESOLVED that all previous actions and resolutions, excepting the resolution with reference to the rebuilding of the church, be herewith withdrawn.
Stephen Newhard served as inspector of the election. The following members were elected as a building committee: David Best, Edwin Gable, Charles App (Lutheran), Reuben Andreas, and Stephen Newhard (Reformed). The following collectors were unanimously elected:
Samuel Kuntz, Abraham Bachman (Lutheran), Stephen App, and Abraham Bachman, Treasurer. The new church should not cost over $12,000.00 and the work of building should not commence until $7,000.00 were subscribed. The building committee
were authorized in the building of the new church to exercise their own judgment as to the size, location, and material. Evidently, however, with the understanding that they not act arbitrarily but receive every well meant councel.
All money subscribed should be paid at four regular intervals; namely, on the first day of May, August, November and February, 1877.
On the 26th day of February, 1876, the collectors met together with the elders of the church in the school house and the following amounts were subscribed. (Samuel Kuntz).
the building committee then agreed to do the building of the church themselves, to make it of brick, 50 X 80 besides the pulpit recess and the end gallery for the organ and the choir. With this plan, the members of the church, with only few
exceptions, were agreed.
On Easter Monday, the 17th day of April, 1876, the organ was removed from the church and the following thursday, the work of tearing down the old church was commenced. In a short time all was in ruins. Edwin Gable,
one of the building committee, did the carpenter work. Charles Siegley of Catasauqua, made the rough walls, laid the bricks and did the plastering. In tearing down the old church, two corner stones were found, in the wall which are now added to the two other ones.
Consequently, the new church has four corner stones with the following inscriptions:
First Corner Stone - "St. Paul's Church" without a date. This is the first corner stone of the first church built about the year of 1750.
Second Corner Stone - "For a memorial built in the year of our Lord, 1772"
Third Corner Stone - "St. Paul's Church, founded 1772, rebuilt 1833" (This is evidently a mistake as St. Paul's Church was founded prior to 1772)
Fourth Corner Stone - St. Paul's Church, rebuilt 1876"
The new church is again to be union; that is, for the Lutheran and Reformed to hold divine services alternately.
Whitsunday, the 4th day of June, 1876, was the day fixed for the laying of the corner stone. The weather was not very favorable on this day as the sky was overcast with clouds which threatened rain. Consequently, many were prevented
from being present at the festivities; nevertheless, there were a respectable number present. The ministers in attendance were the Rev. William J. Gerhart of Lancaster, and Rev. Z.H. Gable of Reading, and both pastors Kistlers and Rittenhouse. The Egypt Choir under the able
management of Prof. F.G. B___ opened the solemn services by singing "How Holy Is This Place". Then the congregation sang "Sei Lob Und Ehr Dem". Rev. Gable read the 103rd Psalm and offered prayer. Rev. Gerhart (Reformed) preached the first sermon on Deut. 32: 7, in
which he especially made prominent the thought "Remember the days of the old", what our fathers have done during this long period of about 125 years for the church, their difficulties, their willingness to make sacrifices, love for the church, etc.
At the close of the sermon the choir sang "Hear My Cry, Oh God" during which a collection was taken amounting to $41.61. Rev. Kistler gave out two verses of Hymn 217, "Komm, O Komm, Du Geist Des Lebens" after which he announced that at
2 p.m. the corner stone would be laid according to Liturgical form to which all were invited.
The congregation was dismissed by singing "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow" and the benediction by Rev. Rittenhouse. So far everything passed off very nicely, but about half past twelve, rain set in whereby a great many were kept from
attending the afternoon session. Near three o'clock, the ministers, church councils, building committee, as well as quite a considerable number of the members and others gathered together for the laying of the corner stone.
THE HISTORY OF THE SERVICES AT THE CORNER STONE LAYING
The choir sang "Have Mercy Upon Me". Then Rev. Kistler read a list of the articles which were to be deposited in the corner stone as follows:
a. The Old German Bible (which had been in the former corner stone, pretty well preserved still, and 108 years old.
b. A New German Bible
c. A German Lutheran Book
d. A German Reformed Book
e. A German Reformed Catechism
f. A German Lutheran Catechism (with the Augusburg Confession)
g. A Reformed English Almanac
h. A Lutheran German Almanac
i. Two Lutheran Zeinscbriften (Brobsts)
j. One Yungenfreund (Brobsts)
k. Lutheran and Missionary
l. Church Messinger Lutheran
m. Reformed Housfriend
n. Reformed Messenger
o. Three secular papers
p. Church regulations copied by Daniel Gable
q. History of St. Paul's Church
r. Two pieces of wood found in the old corner stone
Rev. Rittenhouse places the articles as they were read into a tin box made by Milton Ohl and son William, of Cherryville. Then the corner stone was put in position by Charles Siegley, stone mason, after which the pastors of the two congregations
assissted by Rev. Gable laid the corner stone according to liturgical form.
The hymn "Hilf Herr Lasg Wohlgelingen", No. 264, in the Lutheran hymn book was then sung. In as much as the rain continued to fall incessantly, the assembly was requested to go to the school house where the choir opened with "How Beautiful
Upon The Mountain". The congregation sang " O Heil' ger Geist, Kehr' Bei Uns Ein". Rev. Gerhart read Psalm 89: 1 - 19, and led them in prayer. Rev. Gerhart then preached on Hebrews 11: 7, on the theme "Noah's Ark", a type of Christian Church. Noah built an ark because the flood
was coming. We built a church (house of safety) because the day of judgement is coming. Noah did not shun the greatest toil and expense; such as are also connected with the building of churches. Noah sis not permit himself to be turned from his purpose through the ridicule and
mocking of the ungodly. Unbelievers still scoff after the same manner though perhaps not in this neighborhood. Noah received a greast reward; he saved himself and his house. So is the church an institution for spiritual safety for us and our posterity. The choir sang "Preisu Unser Gott"
during which a collection was taken which amounted to $10.74.
Rev. Kistler announced the 233rd Hymn "Erhalt Uns". After the singing of this hymn he thanked the Egypy Choir for their services.
Because the weather was so unfavorable, no services were announced for Whitmonday; though on that day the weather was glorious. After the announcements, Rev. Kistler pronounced the benediction.
(This was taken from the memoirs of Edwin Gable)
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Copyright 2001
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