CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS
A HISTORY OF THE
LUTHERAN CONGREGATIONS IN
PERRY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
by
REV. D. H. FOCHT, A.M.
CHAPTER V
SECTION IV
ST. JAMES'S CHURCH IN
TURKEY VALLEY, GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP,
JUNIATA COUNTY.
This church stands on the Juniata side and near the line dividing Juniata and Perry Counties, and as it belongs to the Liverpool charge we will make a few passing remarks respecting it. So far as we can learn it was erected in 1852, is a frame structure, and not large or conveniently located. Most of the members in Turkey Valley had formerly belonged to St. Michael's in Pfoutz's Valley. The congregation was small and for some years had only occasional preaching. On the 1st of October, 1856, the
Rev. Josiah Zimmerman
took charge of it. He then found here
only six members of the Lutheran Church, constituting the congregation. He
met, however, with encouraging success. In a communication to us he
says: "In Turkey Valley I instructed an interesting class of
catechumens and on the 19th of April, 1857, the following persons were
confirmed:
Samuel Dimm; Jacob Dimm; John Minnium; Samuel Rambaugh; Daniel Ziegler; Adam
Wilt; Joseph Wilt; Frederick Wilt; Catharine Wilt; Hannah Bostwick; Mary Dimm;
Sarah A. Dimm; Lydia Minnium.
"Six of these persons were heads of families, and this accession to the
congregation, which was very weak before, was of great importance.
Afterwards I instructed another class, and on the 21st of March, 1858, the
following six persons were confirmed:
Henry Dimm; Reuben Reed; Nancy Jane Dimm; Elmira Jane Cox; Susan Dimm; Eve Eliz.
Ziegler."
Thus the congregation was revived and gathered strength, and much good was
accomplished by Rev. Zimmerman. He resigned in April, 1859, having served
the congregation in the Gospel for two and a half, and was succeeded in August
of the same year by the
Rev. Jacob A. Hackenberger,
who preached here once every two weeks. Whether any were or were not added to the membership whilst he was pastor, we are not informed. Having preached to the congregation for two years, he resigned in 1861. Immediately after this, the
Rev. William O. Wilson
preached here occasionally, as a supply, until the Liverpool charge should have a pastor. On the 1st of April, 1862, the
Rev. John H. Davidson
accepted a call from the Liverpool pastorate, and has since been preaching here regularly once every two weeks. May we not hope that, enjoying the stated ministrations of the sanctuary, the congregation will not take courage and go forward in the work of the blessed Master.
"Dearest Savior, help thy
servant
To proclaim thy wondrous love!
Pour thy grace upon this people,
That they may thy love approve:
Bless, O bless them,
From thy shining courts above."
