This publication is provided courtesy of David Van Doren.
Tag: Shamokin
Among the earliest supporters of this faith at Shamokin were William and Reuben Fagely, and through their efforts the Rev. J. P. Shindel, of Sunbury, was induced to institute occasional services at the Central school house about the year 1840. Several Mormon missionaries were endeavoring to proselyte at the little mining town, and the immediate object of the Fagelys in introducing Lutheran worship was to counteract the influence of their work. It had the desired result, without, however, affecting anything immediate or definite in the way of Lutheran church organization. The Reverend Alleman, of St. Peter’s and St. Jacob’s churches in the Shamokin valley, partially effected an organization in 1842, and regular services were held under his administration and that of his successor, Rev. Philip Williard.
On the 11th of October, 1854, the church was fully organized under Rev. C. J. Ehrhart as pastor. His incumbency was principally noticeable in view of the educational project undertaken -the erection of a college, now the Academy school building – which was not a success, and depleted the resources of the congregation to a serious extent. Mr. Ehrhart also conducted a private school of an academic grade.
Mr. Ehrhart was succeeded, October 11, 1857, by Rev. J. F. Wampole. Under his administration services were held in the Presbyterian church one year; in 1858 a room was fitted up in the Odd Fellows’ hall by the Lutheran and Reformed congregations, and used by them on alternate Sundays for divine worship. Rev. J. B. Keller became pastor in 1865, and in the summer of that year a project for the erection of a church edifice assumed tangible form. C. S. Wetzel was the architect, and Jonas L. Gilger the contractor.
The corner-stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies on the 8th of October,1865, Rev. H. Zeigler, D. D., officiating, assisted by the pastor. The basement was first occupied for public worship on the 20th of January, 1867, and on the 11th of August, 1867, the completed edifice was dedicated, Rev. A. C. Wedekind, D. D., preaching the dedicatory sermon. On this occasion the contributions aggregated two thousand dollars.
On the following Monday the Susquehanna Conference of the church assembled here. Since the resignation of Mr. Keller in 1869 the following clergymen have served as pastors: Reverends J. R. Williams, S. Domer, D. D., H. C. Haithcox, P, S. Hooper, J. A. Flickinger, L. D. Wells, and C. F. Steck:, the present pastor, who assumed charge in the autumn of 1889.
The church edifice is a substantial brick structure on Sunbury street. It was originally fifty by seventy-five feet in dimensions, and in 1884 an addition of twenty-five feet was erected at the rear. Steam heating apparatus was provided in 1887, and in 1891 a fine pipe-organ was secured. The height of the tower is one hundred eighteen feet.
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First Presbyterian Church
The first services of the Presbyterian Church were held about 1844, by ‘Rev.’ James Hamilton, in the Central schoolhouse. The method of -making this, appointment was somewhat novel., About four o’clock in the afternoon of a certain day, the good people living along Shamokin and Sunbury streets, had their attention attracted by seeing a fine-looking man, on horseback, riding along these streets, saying: “There will be preaching in the school -house this evening.”
A large number attended who became much interested in Mr. Hamilton, and he was invited to remain and build up a congregation. Mr. Hamilton went to work in earnest, and after great effort, succeeded, in 1845, in building the church now occupied by this denomination. Mr. Stephen Bittenbender was the builder, but the pews were put in by Jonas L. Gilger. The church was organized April 8th, 1845, by Rev. William R. Smith and Elder John B. Boyd, a committee appointed by the Northumberland Presbytery. This was the second church edifice erected in Shamokin, the Catholic being the first.
The following is the first organization:
- Pastor – Rev. James J. Hamilton
- Elders – Solomon Eckert, Daniel Evert, and Alexander Caldwell
- Original Members – Solomon Eckert, Daniel Evert, Alexander Caldwell, Jacob Smirk, Mary Ann Runyan, Mary Cauterman, Mary Evert, Martha Caldwell, Catharine Caldwell, Sarah Ann Reed, Eva Smirk, Harriet Eckert, Mary Black, Sarah Hamilton, and Elizabeth Reppard.
Hamilton remained with the congregation until 1850, when he resigned and moved away.
The church was then supplied with preachers, for some years, that had charge of Elysburg Church. Rev. David Hill succeed Mr. Hamilton, who, in turn, was followed by Rev. Mr. Barr. About 1856, the Rev. P. B. Marr succeeded as pastor, and continued in the work, greatly appreciated by his congregation, until July 1859, when the Rev. A. D. Hawn, a young man who had just completed his studies, was called to supply the pulpit here, and one or two other points. Here the real history of this church begins. Mr. Hawn was a most untiring worker, and, in the course of a few. years, the congregation became the leading church in the town.
During the year 1864, the church building was raised eight feet, and a stone basement placed under it. A spire was erected, and the interior arrangements greatly improved. In November 1864, he was installed as the regular pastor. During this time he took great interest in the welfare of the town. He edited the Herald for some time, served as president of the school -board, took, a great interest in the Lyceum, and identified himself with all the leading movements of the times. In June, 1869, he resigned, after serving eight years as paster. Mr. Hawn was succeeded by Rev. J. P. Conkey, one of the ablest preachers that ever resided at Shamokin. Mr. Conkey remained about two years, and was followed by Rev. Mr. Dewing, who remained one year. In April, 1872, the Rev. S. P. Linn, of Philadelphia, was called to take charge, who remained about two years. After a vacancy of some months, during which time the pulpit, was. filled by preachers from other churches, the Rev. A. C. Clarke was called, and installed in June, 1874.
Mr. Clarke entered upon his duties under some difficulties of a very discouraging nature, but, by uniform courtesy and a persistent effort to do right, he has succeeded, in a great degree, in building up the broken-down walls. Mr. Clarke is a good speaker, who closely devotes his energies to his great calling. He deserves the success he has achieved. The church edifice is a neat frame building, located in the central part of the town, on Sunbury Street. It will accommodate about four hundred people. The present membership numbers two hundred and ninety. The elders are Alexander Fulton, George H. Liebig, and John James.
Presbyterian Sunday School
On the dissolution of the Union Sunday School, in 1854, the Presbyterian Sunday School was organized. Dr. William Atwater was the first superintendent. A large number of scholars were in attendance from the beginning. It is now one of the best regulated schools. in town. The present superintendent is George H. Liebig. Number of scholars, two hundred and twenty-five; teachers, twenty; volumes in library, eight hundred.
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Majestic Theatre
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Rennas Hotel
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Eagle Silk Mill
The Stevens building received its present name, January 10, 1876, by resolution of the board, “in honor of the great defender of the common school system,” Thaddeus Stevens. Prior to that date it was known as the Newtown school.
On the 5th of May, 1857, the township school board decided to purchase lots No. 8 and 4 in block No. 61 from C. P. and B. C. Helfenstein, and on the 19th of June it was resolved to build. A building tax of sixteen hundred dollars was levied, June 26th; the contract was awarded, July 13, 1857, to Benjamin McClow at his bid of eighteen hundred twenty-five dollars, and the work was prosecuted under the direction of Messrs. John and Shipp, building committee. For various reasons this location was not found to be entirely suitable, and on the 5th of June, 1869, the building and grounds were sold to Henry Morgan for five hundred dollars.
Frederick S. Haas, Withington Lake, and M. Emes, a committee of the board, reported in favor of a new location, June 4th; on the 1st of July, 1869, the contract was awarded Joseph E. Thompson at his bid of twenty-two hundred seventy-five dollars, and the building was erected agreeably to plans prepared by Daniel Yost. It was completed in August, 1870, and with extra work the entire cost was twenty-three hundred fifty-six dollars, ninety-five cents.
An addition to this building, similar to that erected at the Penrose building in the previous year, was authorized by the board, July 12, 1875, and a week later Messrs. Schwartz, John, and Robins were appointed a building committee. The work was done by R. S. Aucker under contract for the sum of twenty-seven hundred ninety-five dollars. As again enlarged in 1887 this building comprises eight rooms, in which four intermediate and four primary schools are taught. It is located on Third street at the corner of Spruce.
