CHRIST'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH LOWER TINICUM 1760-1953
See Picture on the other file, this is a mere text file of some of the events of this church.
Record of Interesting and Important Events Occurring from Time to Time in the History of Christ's Evang. Lutheran Church, Lower Tinicum, Pa. Rev. C. C. Snyder Pastor from Dec 1903.
Since this Church was a very important Church in the Hillpot families of yesteryear I felt that these notes which were copied directly were very significant. Note The log church which was located probably on the grounds of the Hillpot graveyard supported the first church, whereas George Adam, the son of my immigrant was the first marriage there, and the New Church Mary M., the wife of John F. Hillpot was the first funeral.
1. In the Spring of 1904, by the consent of the Church Council, the Envelope System, for the purpose of raising funds for the current expenses of the Cong. Was introduced. The Pastor, with the members of the Council, made a house to house visit for the purpose of explaining the system and soliciting the promise of every member. The results have been encouraging to Council and Pastor and the condition of the Treasury has been a very marked over the old way of gathering funds for the support of the Cong.
2. On July 2, 1907 Lower Tinicum Brick Church, owned and used jointly by the Evang. Lutheran Cong and Reformed Cong as a house of worship, was destroyed by lightning. The fire was discovered about 2 a. m., July 3rd, but it had been struck in the early part of the night. Everything was burned that could burn. On the 13th of July a joint Cong meeting was held to vote on the question of re-building jointly or separation. The Lutheran Cong held a meeting and voted 3 to 1, for separation and instructed the Council to meet the Reformed Cong and convey the action of the Lutheran Cong to the Ref Cong. The action of the Ref Cong was to build jointly. In the month of Nov 1907 the Council of the Lutheran Cong and the Consistory of the Reformed Cong held a joint meeting and it was then decided that the Reformed Cong purchase the old walls and adjoining ground for $1800.00, ½ of said amount to be paid to Christ Evang Lutheran Cong of Lower Tinicum as their part of the money. On Feb. 11th, 1908 the Council of the Lutheran Cong, through its representatives, met the Consistory of the Reformed Cong in Doylestown and transacted the final matters which culminated in the separation of both Congs. At the same time and place the Insurance money $9,875.00 was equally divided between the Lutheran Cong and Reformed Cong. The Luth Cong purchased a building lot, nearly 4 acres, situated in Wormansville from Mrs. Hannah Hager for $375.00. On Thursday April 2, 1908 at 10 a. m., after a short service held on the building site, in the presence of about 70 people, ground was broken for Christ's Evang Lutheran Church. The plans and specifications of the new Church were prepared by H. E. DeHoff of Phila. The builder is Mr. Geo. W. Frankenfield of Ambler, Montg. Co., Pa. On Sunday May 17th at 2:30 p. m., the Corner Stone of the new Lutheran Church was laid by the Pastor, Rev. C. C. Snyder, assisted by the Pres. of the Norristown Conference the Rev. I. B. Kurtz and Rev. P. A. Laury. The afternoon was ideal in every respect. The skies were cloudless, and the sun smiled upon the audience with favor. About 1000 people were present to witness the impressive service. Instructive addresses were delivered by Revs. Kurtz and Laury. The hymns sung at the service were: "Come Holy Spirit Heavenly Dove" "The Church's One Foundation", and "Now Thank We All Our God." The following Articles were placed in the Corner Stone: Bible; Church Book; Luther's Catechism; The Lutheran (weekly & monthly Edition); The Foreign Missionary; The Home Missionary; The Mission Worker; The Lutheran Church Almanac; names of the members of Church Council; names of members of Building Committee; names of Officers of Woman's Home & Foreign Missionary Society; names of Officers of Junior Mission Band; Copy of The Constitution of the General Council of the Evang. Lutheran Church in North America; Copy of The Charter, Constitution and By-Laws of Ministerium of Penna; Copy of Charter, Constitution & By-Laws of Christ's Evang Lutheran Cong of Lower Tinicum; Copy of Minutes of Ministerium of Penna 1907. ½ Dollar, 1/4 Dollar, Dime, Nickel, Penny, all bearing date of 1908; Copy of Daily & weekly Doylestown Democrat; Copy of Daily & weekly Intelligencer.
On Saturday Sept. 19, 1908 we held the first service in the Sunday School Room of the new Church. The service was the annual Harvest Home Service. It was a beautiful day and the attendance was very good both in the morning and in the after-noon. The Pastor preached in the morning on Acts 28:15. Rev. F. M. Urich of Quakertown preached in the afternoon. On Sun Sept 20th we organized a Lutheran S. S., attendance 79, Offerings $4.12. On October 1st, 1908 we had the first funeral service in S. S. Room of new Church over the mortal remains of Mrs. Mary M. Hillpot of Erwinna [Wife of John F. Hillpot Index # 3346].
On Sunday Nov 22, 1908 the new Lutheran Church in Lower Tinicum was consecrated to the Service of the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. The sun shone forth in his splendor in the morning. At 10 a. m., after the bell ceased pealing forth its notes far and wide over hill and valley, which had been rung by Mr. Eli R. Fox, the procession, consisting of Pastor, Rev. C. C. Snyder, builder, Mr. Geo W. Frankenfield, Dr. J. A. W. Hass, Pres of Muhlenberg College; Rev. W. O. Fegley; Church Council and Building Committee, bearing Bibles and offering Plates; Ushers; Choir, and assembled Congregation, filed out of Sunday School Room to main entrance of Church where the opening consecratory Services were conducted and all united in singing 2 stanzas of Hymn No. 51 in Church Book, "Open now thy gates of Beauty". The builder, then handed the keys to the Pastor who opened the main door and the Clergy, and Cong moved slowly into the Church repeating responsively Psalm 122. When the Pastor and assisting Clergy came to the Alter the Pastor took the Offering plates and placed them on the Alter and the Bibles on Pulpit and Lectern respectively. The assembled Cong joined in the confession of the Nicene Creed. Hymn 625 was sung. The Lesson, appointed by the church for the occasion, was then read by the Pastor, prayer was offered and the act of Consecration was then performed by the Pastor. Hymn 266 was then sung, after which Rev. J. A. W. Hass, D. D. Pres of Muhlenberg College delivered a very able and instructive Sermon, taking as his text Genesis 28:10-17; His Theme was "the Church as the holy place of awe in the presence of God". After the Offering and Prayer by the Rev. W. O. Fegely the Choir rendered the Anthemn "Sing, All ye Lands" The Services were conducted with singing of Hymn 11 and Benediction.
The Services in the after-noon were opened at 2:15 by the singing of Humn 256, the Opening Vesper Service and Responsive reading of Psalm 23. Hymn 279 was sung. The first Sermon was preached by Rev. P. A. Laury of Perkasie on Psalm 121, 1st verse. A very beautiful and appropriate Duett was rendered by Mr. Ryan Rapp and Miss Ada Rapp both of Riegelsville. The second Sermon was delivered by Rev. W. O. Fegely of Augustus Lutheran Church, Trappe, Montg Co. The Choir rendered a beautiful anthemn, "At Sunset". Prayer was offered by Rev. Laury. Hymn 275 was sung, and the services were concluded with the benediction.
On Thursday, Nov 26, Thanksgiving Day, Services were held in the new Church a. m., and after-noon. The morning Service was opened at 10:15 by an Anthem "I will praise Thee" by the Choir. The full morning Service in the Church Book was used conducted by Rev. J. H. Waidelich. The first sermon was preached by D. H. Reiter on Genesis 28:17. Mrs. Evans of Phila rendered a very pleasing solo, entitled "My Redeemer and my Lord". The second sermon was delivered by Rev. J. H. Waidelich on Psalm 122:1. The Choir rendered the Anthemn "The Mercies of the Lord". The Service was closed with Hymn 628 and Benediction. During the noon hour the Ladies of the Cong sreved Luncheon in the S. S. Room to Cong and friends. A very large number partook of the luncheon served.
The after-noon Service was opened at 2:15 by the use of Hymn 253, Opening Vespers and Responsive reading of Psalm 92, and singing of Hymn 49. The first Sermon was delivered by Rev. F. M. Urich of Quakertown. Mrs. Evans of Phila. rendered a Solo entitled "The Plains of Peace". The second Sermon was delivered by Rev. J. L. Becker. The Choir rendered an Anthemn, "O, Give Thanks". The Service was closed by singing of Hymn 58 and Benediction.
The Service of Consecration of the new Christ's Evangelical Lutheran Church was an event of much joy and happiness to Pastor and Cong and one long to be remembered by old and young.
On Sunday Dec 6th, 1908 marked the 5th anniversary of the Pastorate of Rev. C. C. Snyder of Lower Tinicum Charge. Services commemorative of the event were held in the new Lutheran Church in Lower Tinicum when the pastor preached an anniversary Sermon on 1 Samuel 7:12, "Hither ti hath the Lord helped us". It was the first regular service conducted by the Pastor in the new Church.
On January 1, 1913, after having received and accepted a call to this parish, the Rev. Wm A. Fluck entered upon his duties as pastor. The Installation service was held on April 6, 1913, in the Tinicum Church. The church was filled. The Rev. W. O. Fegely, president of the Norristown Conference delivered the charge to the pastor and performed the installation. He was assisted by Rev. J. F. C. Fluck of Philadelphia who conducted the service and charged the congregation. The service was very impressive and one to make a lasting impresssion for good on both people and pastor.
On September 17, 1916 it was decided by a unanimous vote to build a parsonage. The place voted upon and decided was "that it be alongside the church building". Before the meeting adjourned fifteen hundred dollars had been subscribed for this purpose.
On January 1, 1914 the bi-weekly envelopes, duplex were introduced and used to make up the monies for the church expenses and benevolences.
In September, 1916 it was decided to build a parsonage alongside of the church. The council was constituted a committee to build it. Mr. George Frankenfield the builder of the church was employed at a 10 % basis to build the parsonage. Building was begun in October and continued until the winter set in. Then in spring the building was completed. The pastor, Rev. W. A. Fluck moved into the parsonage April 18, 1917. About one-half the cost of the parsonage had been raised toward the parsonage at the time of its completion. The entire cost of the parsonage was $7,300; this included the barn and all improvements.
May 25, 1919 - June 1, 1919
The one hundred and fiftieth Anniversary of the Congregation was celebrated on two Sundays. May 25th, 1919 services were held in the morning at 10:30 a. m., at which time the regular morning services was used and the sermon was preached by Rev. Prof. C. M. Jacobs, D. D. of the Mt. Airy Seminary. A solo was sung by Mr. E. Fox. A very large and attentive audience was present. In the evening at 7:30 of this same day another large congregation attended to listen to Rev. R. E. Kern of Kellers Parish and Rev. Dr. A. Pohlinan of Philadelphia deliver addresses suitable to the anniversary.
On Sunday, June first, 1919 the anniversary was brought to a close with a service in the afternoon. A very large crowd filled the church. Solos were rendered by Miss Blanche D. Warner of Dufryn Mawr. Addresses were made by Rev. O. H. Melchor of Springtown and Rev. C. G. Beck of North Wales, president of the Conference. Rev. Gelds of the local Reformed congregation brought greetings.
All these anniversary services were very edifying, instructive and encouraging. May God continue to bless our work. During these services nearly four hundred dollars was raised for the local work.