History of Salem Walmers Church by Edward Shuey, 1900.

 

Triple Anniversary at Salems Walmers church.

 

The year 1900 marks the sesquicentennial of the establishing of Walmers (Salem) Reformed church in Lebanon county, Pa. The centenniel of Walmers Union church Reformed and Lutheran, and the semi-centenniel of the erection of the present house of worship. These events were duly observed by a series of special services on Saturday evening and Sunday, Sept. 29 and 30. On Saturday evening the sermon was preached by Rev. J. B. Burgner, a child of the Lutheran congregation, in connection with the services on Sunday morning two sermons were preached, one by Rev. Dr. A. R. Bartholomew, and the other by Rev. S. B. Stupp, Lutheran both former pastors. In the afternoon historical sketches of both congregations, prepared by the Reformed pastor, Rev. W. D. Donat, were read; also letters of congratulation from Rev. J. A. Wickert, D. B. Shuey and William Gerhardt, the latter a Lutheran; besides this addresses were delivered by Rev. J. B. Burgner, C. H. Mutchler, S. B. Stupp, Dr. A. R. Bartholomew and Mr. J. H. Hauer, superintendant of the Sunday school. The services were brought to a conclusion in the evening when the sermon was preached by Rev. C. H. Mutchler, also a former pastor. All the sermons and addresses were of a high order, and the services were a rich feast for the soul.

 

The following is a brief historical sketch of Walmers church; The northern section of Lebanon county, as far east as the Swatara creek, was originally settled by Scotch Irish people; this is clearly indicated by the old land titles upon which appear such names as Reed, Graham, Stewart, McClintock, Cunningham and others. Also in a history of Berks and Lebanon counties, by J. D. Rupp are given the names of about seventy five taxables, for the 1750, of East Hanover township which this section then belonged, and among this appear only a few German names. One of the first Germans to settle in this section of country was Peter Walheimer; the exact time of his arrival is not known, although the supposition is that it occurred between the year 1740 and 1750.

 

This man was the ancestor of the numerous Walmer family afterward inhabiting this portion of the country. Tradition has it that the change of name from Walheimer to Walmer was brought about in this way: his Scotch Irish neighbors found the name Walheimer too long and difficult for pronunciation, so they omitted the middle syllable, and called him Walmer. This in course of time became the accepted family name.

 

In the heart and mind of this man was conceived the thought of establishing what has since been known as Walmers church. Sadly missing the services of the sanctuary enjoyed in his home beyond the sea, and realizing the difficulty of affording his family the proper religious training, he, one day, said to his sons, six in number, "Boys, we must have a church." This was in the year 1750. No sooner was the suggestion made than arrangement were also affected to put it in practical operation. A site was selected on his farm and he along with his six sons, bagan the erection of a log structure, 30 by 32 feet in dimension. The time required for the completion of the building was six days. The completed building consisted however, only of the bare walls with a door, a few windows and a roof; the floor was added about fifty years later, and in the meantime the worshipers, during the service, were seated on logs laid in regular order on the bareground; this logs afterward served as joists. Many years also elapsed before a stove was secured and the house of worship comfortably heated. Imagine a modern congregation worshiping the God of the fathers amidst such surrounding: This rude, primitive building, with some alterations and improvements, stood until the year 1802 when it gave way to the present substantial brick structure.

 

Walmer's church was exclusively Reformed until 1800; at this time extensive improvement were made on the building at a cost of 105 pounds, 2 shillings and 10 1/2 pence. A number of Lutheran families, who had settled in close limit to the church, aided in accomplishing this work, and in defraying the expenses, so they were granted a right to worship there, and from this time forward it has been a union church.

 

There is unfortunately no record in existence of the early history of this church with the exception of baptisms, and this was begun as late as 1788. The writer has to depend almost altogether on tradition for the subject matter of this sketech and information from this source is very meager. From the little that can be gathered it appears that Walmer's church was not regularly connected with any charge, and had no regular pastor until 1824. Prior to that time it was simply supplied; his opened the way for roving characters, representing themselves as ministres, of which there was no lack at that time, to first themselves upon these people, often causing them great spiritual harm.

 

Mr. John Zehring, age 85 years, but possessed of a strong mind and clear memory claims that when a mere boy he heard the remark more than once that Rev. Conradt Templeman preached at Walmer's church, now if it is true in mind that Rev. Templeman up to 1762, preached in the church at the Swatara now Jonestown, only about 5 miles distant from Walmer's, the probability of correctness of the above claim becomes very strong and reasonable, and indicates Rev. Templeman as the first supply of Walmer's church.

 

The next minister to serve this people in things spiritual, of whom we have any definite knowledge, was, Rev. William Stoy. He became pastor at Lebanon Steitztown, in 1763; has labors were, however, not confined to that one congregation. According to "Fathers of the Reformed Church," Vol. 2, he supplied a number of churches between the Schuylkill and Susquehanna rivers with the means of grace; among these was Walmers.

 

Rev. Stoy took great delight in hunting, and inasmuch as he served these outlying churches, as a rule, on a weekday he would almost invariably carry his gun with him. It is said that one day he came to this church, entered, set his gun under the pulpit, hung his shot pouch on the muzzle of the gun, turned and glanced over the river, and when he saw that the entire congregation consisted only of a few old women, he indulged in the following soliloquy; Am I to preach to these few old women? No I shall not do so; I prefer shouting prairie hens. Saying this, he took his gun and left the church. How long this servant of the Lord served these people is not known. Whilst his pastorate at Lebanon terminated in 1768, it is known that he continued preaching in some church in Berks and Lebanon counties beyond that time; and since about this time a rupture between him and Coetus occurred, and his relation with that body was severed; and since Walmer's church was not then under the jurisdiction of Coetus, it may be assumed that this was one of the churches which he continued to serve after his resignation at Lebanon, but how long is not known.

 

Beginning with the year 1777 Rev. John William Runkel supplied all the Reformed churches in the lower part of Dauphin county, the whole of Lebanon county, and all of Lancaster county north of the city of Lancaster. This being the case it may reasonably be supposed that Walmer's was one of them.

 

In 1786 Rev. Ludwig Lupp became pastor at Labanon and also supplied other congregation in the county. It is now positively known that he preached at Walmer's church occasionally. C. D. Zehring, Esq., of Jonestown, now 80 years old, and formerly a member at Walmers has a recollection of hearing the name of a Rev. Stock mentioned as having preached, and also as having taught in the school house adjoining the church and the property of the congregation. This school house was erected in 1783 and it may be assumed with a degree of probability that this was the Rev. Philips Stock, of whom there appears a brief annal in Vol. 2, page 405, Fathers of the Reformed church. He came to this country in 1789, preached for a short time at York and Chambersburg; in 1790 he applied to Coetus for ordination and was referred to the Synod of Holland. From that time forward all trace of him was lost to the Reformed Church. The Rev. Stock, who preached and taught here was no ordained minister.

 

Now, if the above assumption is correct he must have served the Walmer's people in this double capacity between the year 1790 an 1801; just how long no one is able to tell. According to an entry in the record of the church, made by himself Rev. John George Phriemer confirmed a class of 31 persons here in the Spring of 1801, and also administered the Lord's Supper to them. In this record he claims to be a Reformed minister, and a defender of Reformed doctrine. In Vol. 3, Fathers of the Reformed Church, we learn that this man was roving character of fanatical view, and of a meddlesome disposition more of an injury than a blessing to the cause of Christ. In 1806 a request came to Synod for a decided and authenticated answer in reference to his ordination; in response to this request Synod ordered the following action with the Seal of Synod attached; That this man not only has not been ordained by the synod, but also that this Synod pronounces his ordination performed by an individual member of Synod, as null and void. This is added to show him this people often became the victims of wolves in sheep's clothing.

 

Rev. William Hiester supplied Walmer's church during at least a part of his pastorate at Lebanon, extending from 1800 to 1828. In 1828 Rev. John Gring became the regular pastor of the church and contined as such until 1870. Later pastorates are as follows; Rev. C. H. Mutchler, 1870-1878. Rev. Dr. A. R. Barthololew, 1878-1882, Rev. W. D. Donat 1895.

 

The first record bearing on the membership of this church dates from 1823 during which year 62 partook of the Lords Supper; the present membership is 142 of whom 120 communed during the last classical year.

 

Rev. Jacob D. Zehring of blessed memory, and Rev. D. B. Shuey, of Jola? Kas?, were members of this church at the time they entered the Christian ministry.

 

There was also organized the first Sunday School in the country, in 1843; this school has been open ever since, and is now in a flourishing condition with a membership of 250.

 

The present house of worship underwent extensive repairs during the past summer, and was reopened on August 12, the expense connected with the same was about $600.

 

Edward Shuey Sec