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Zion Reformed Church
was organized January 27, 1861. The organization was perfected through
the efforts of Rev. Henry F. Hartman, who continued with the new
congregation until the winter of 1864-65, by the election of Daniel
Saul, Sr., as elder, and Aaron Saul and John Kern as deacons.
The
first building used by the newly organized flock is still standing, a
frame one, now owned and occupied by the Episcopalians. It was
originally a Congregational church, but was purchased by the Reformed
congregation in May, 1863, and repaired, and used until February, 1886.
The
first members of the church were John Kern, John Kyle, Mrs. Kyle, Mr.
Enterline, Mrs. Enterline, William Saul, Miss Sallie Saul, John H.
Beachler, Miss Mary Snyder, Henry Snyder, Mrs. George Snyder, Marietta
Ash, Julia Loch, William Miller, Josiah Garber, Mariah Hottel, Stephen
Hecker, Mrs. Hooker, Miss Hecker, Mrs. Elizabeth Hartman, Rose Miller,
Aaron Saul, Daniel Saul, Mrs. Beachler, J. W. Snyder, George Snyder,
Edwin Ash, Jeremiah Loch, Elizabeth Gaiser, Susanna Miller, Catherine
Garber, Mrs. Everett. At the close of 1884 nearly all of these had
removed or fallen from membership! In the spring of 1865 the classis of
St. Paul’s detached the Greenville congregation from the Shenango
charge,
and established it as a
separate mission. Since that period the
succession of pastors has been: Revs. C. R. Dieffenbacher, April, 1865,to
April, 1878; F. B. Hahn, June, 1878, to September, 1884, and the
present pastor, S. H. Eisenberg, who took charge December 1, 1884.
January 1, 1885, the contract
for a new building was let, and
February 14, 1886, the present imposing edifice of brick was first
occupied by the Sunday-school classes. The
building was completed |
Zion
Reformed Church
Photo
from a newspaper article in the
1 Feb
1894 Advance Argus, Greenville,
(submitted
by Debbie Hoffman)
|
33rd Anniversary of the Zion
Reformed Church of Greenville
(Advance
Argus, Greenville, PA, Feb 1, 1894, pg. 1) |
Biographies
Reverand
Frederick B. Hahn
Reverand
Henry F Hartman |
and
consecrated with imposing ceremonies September 4, 1887. The property of
the congregation is valued at $20,000.
As an instance of the church’s
growth, it might be mentioned that on
the 1st of April, 1865, there were sixteen communicant members; on the
1st of December, 1884, there were 198 members in good standing, while
the present membership numbers over 800. There has always been a
Sunday-school connected with the congregation, which April 1, 1865,
numbered five pupils. It now [1888] enrolls about 200. Its
superintendent is Rev. Eisenberg, and the assistant is
Charles T.
Meacham.
(Source: History
of Mercer County, 1888, pages 428)
Zion's
Reformed Church
--Among the early settlers of Greenville and vicinity, there were quite
a number of the Reformed faith, such as the Kamerers, Reichards,
Christmans, Wassers, and others. For a number of years, they.
were without church privileges, but in the early part of this century,
a church was erected, about three miles south-west of Greenville,
called the Good Hope Church, and owned jointly by the Reformed and
Lutheran congregations. On the Reformed side, they were served for many
years by Rev. Philip Zeiser. In the spring of 1857, Rev. H.
F.
Hartman became pastor of four congregations, near this place, and, in
1860, he organized a Reformed church, in Greenville, consisting of
thirty-two members. But, owing to his many pastoral duties, he was
unable to give much time to the care of this infant congregation.
Still, advancement was made in the procurement of a house of worship.
The Congregational Church, built in 1842, on Clinton street, above
Mercer, was purchased, and, in 1863, remodeled, at an expense of some
$2,000. In the spring of 1865, an invitation to become pastor of the
church, was extended to Rev. C. R. Dieffenbacher, and, on the 1st of
April, 1865, he entered upon his work. At that time, but twenty-two of
the original members were to be found, but as they had now a pastor of
their own, new life church rapidly increased. At the first communion,
after the present [1877] pastorate began, there were forty-three
communicants, and the highest number at any one time since, has been
135. The whole number received into the congregation, by certificate,
has been 204; and by confirmation, ninety-nine; making a total of 303.
The present membership is about 160. Services are held in two
languages, English and German. In the latter, one-fourth of the time;
but, as a large portion of the membership does not understand that
language, and but few require it, it is hoped that it will be gradually
abolished. Additions are made to the congregation at almost every
communion season, and its friends have reason to believe that its
permanency is secured, and its and courage appeared, and
the future growth certain. The society has a flourishing
Sabbath
school, with fifteen officers and teachers, and 125 scholars. A
catechetical class meets weekly, a greater portion of the year.
(Source:
History
of Mercer
County,
1877, page 100)
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