CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS
A HISTORY OF THE
LUTHERAN CONGREGATIONS IN
PERRY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
by
REV. D. H. FOCHT, A.M.
CHAPTER VI
SECTION III
TUSCARORA EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CONGREGATION IN
RACCOON VALLEY, TUSCARORA TOWNSHIP
In Raccoon Valley, Tuscarora Township, about five miles west of Millerstown, and near Donally's Mill, at Rice's or Bull's School-house, where a number of members resided, the
Rev. Josiah Zimmerman
preached occasionally from 1856 to 1859. The members here belong mostly to the Millerstown congregation.
Rev. J. A. Hackenberger
also preached here occasionally for about one year, from August, 1859 to '60. In July, 1861, when the
Rev. William O. Wilson
entered on his labors at Millerstown, he
commenced to preach here once every two weeks, and met with encouraging
success. After catechizing and preaching for some time, it became evident
that the word of life awakened some souls. In October, a protracted
meeting was held, when the pastor was assisted by the Revs. P. M. Rightmeyer and
W. H. Diven. A considerable number professed to have passed from death to
life. These were still further carefully instructed. It became
apparent now that in order to permanent success a congregation must be
organized. Hence, on Friday evening the 29th of November, 1861, the Rev.
D. H. Focht, assisting the pastor, preached from Luke 7:37, 38 and on Saturday,
the 30th, he preached from 1 Cor. 15:58. After sermon, the organization
was effected in the following order:
With the change of names and dates, the same form of organization at Millerstown
was adopted in organizing Tuscarora Evangelical Lutheran congregation,
and was subscribed by the following persons as members:
William
Rice
Sarah Dromgold
John
Rice
Sophia Kerr
Levi T. Diener
Christiana Kain
Samuel
Rice
Wilhelmina Trankler
Daniel
Rice
Susan White
Adam
Rice
Jemima Cath. Dromgold
Margaret Eliz.
Rice
Amaretta J. Kain
Mary Ann
Rice
Julianna Bowers
Mary Ann
Rice
Godfrey Kain.
From the above members, the following were elected and installed as officers of
the congregation:
William Rice, Elder
John Rice, for 2 years, Deacon
Levi T. Diener, for 1 year, Deacon
The following persons were then confirmed, and a number of infants
baptized.
David
Mahaffey
Mary Cath. Jacobs
John
Frey
Mary Malinda Rice
Daniel Macher
(baptized)
Catharine Rice
Lydia Ann
Frey
Amaretta Jacobs
Elizabeth Jacobs.
Thus the congregation was regularly organized. This evening Rev.
Focht preached from 1 Tim. 1:15, and one Sunday forenoon (December 1st) the
communion sermon from Acts 18:21. Forty-six persons united then in
celebrating the Lord's Supper. This evening Rev. Focht preached from 1 Cor.
16:22. Here ended the exercise connected with the organization of
the congregation.
A church-edifice is now very much needed by the congregation, and we hope the
members will before long build one. A Sunday-school was organized on the
18th of May, 1862. May the Lord bless pastor and people!
"Behold th' expected time
draw near,
The shades disperse, the dawn appear;
The barren wilderness assume
The beauteous tints of Eden's bloom."
