Intelligencer January 31, 1901

Baptist Church Dedicated: The Memorial Baptist Church, of Huntingdon Valley, a short distance from Bethayres, was dedicated Thursday afternoon and evening. The church is the outcome of a Sunday school which was started more than ten years ago by Mrs. Amanda Heritage at her home at Philmont.  Two years ago the members of Grace Baptist Church, Philadelphia became interested in the small congregation and helped them in various ways. A small chapel was then built and the pulpit supplied by young ministerial students of the Baptist Seminary.  Among the speakers at Thursday’s ceremony were Rev. Dr. John Gordon, of the Second Baptist Church; Rev. Charles Warwick, of the Diamond Street Baptist Church; Rev. T. J. Cross and Dr. George A. Peltz, of Grace Temple, Philadelphia, and Rev. Samuel B. Hiley, of Camden, N. J.  The church is a frame structure two stories high and was given to the congregation by Mr. and Mrs. John Dannehower, of Bethayres.

Intelligencer November 26, 1908

Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church:  Consecration Services of Tinicum Church: Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church at Lower Tinicum was consecrated on Sunday morning by Rev. J. A. W. Haas, D. D., president of Muhlenberg College, Allentown.  Early in the morning of the eventful day for the congregation people began to arrive on the four roads leading to the building site, and before 10 o’clock the assembly room was well filled with members and friends of the congregation. At ten minutes of 10 the bell in the large tower announced the hour and the clergymen and congregation proceeded in the following order to the auditorium with the sacred books and vessels of the church: The pastor, Rev. C. C. Snyder, and the builder, George W. Frankenfield, of Ambler; Rev. J. A. W. Haas, D. D. and Rev. W. O. Fegely, the council and building committee; the choir, the ushers, and then the congregation and friends, The people kept coming until the auditorium, which seats about five hundred people, was completely filled. The afternoon crowd being even larger than the morning, many chairs being called into service.  The program for Sunday was as follows: Congregation met in the Sunday school room, and formed in line, marched to the main entrance of the auditorium, when the hymn, “Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty” was sung by the congregation, after which with appropriate service the keys of the building were delivered to the pastor. Psalm 122, read responsively; hymn, “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty,” the lesson; prayer and consecration; the Nicene Creed; hymn, “Glorious of Thee Are Spoken,” sermon by J. A. W. Haas, D. D.; offertory, prayer, anthem by choir, “Sing All Ye Lands,” hymn, “Now Thank We All Our God,” benediction.  Sunday afternoon services began at 2.15, with the following program; Hymn, “Gracious Spirit Dove Divine,” opening vesper service; 23 psalm, responsively; hymn, “May We Thy Precepts, Lord Fulfill,” sermon by Rev. P. A. Laury, Perkasie; duet, “O, Thou That Hear’st,” by Mr. and Miss Rapp, of Riegelsville; sermon by Rev. W. O. Fegely, Trappe; anthem, “At Sunset,” by choir; prayer by Rev. J. A. W. Haas, D. D.; hymn, “I Love Thy Zion Lord,” benediction.  The services will be concluded on Thursday, November 26^th, when an interesting program will be rendered. The trustees, who were at a loss at first, to find a building site, after trying several places were finally able to procure the present site from Mrs. Hannah Hager for the sum of $400, title being given March 13, 1908. The building committee, consisting of Jacob E. Frankenfield, A. R. Fox, W. A. Frankenfield, Jonas H. Gruver, Noah G. Trauger, William Atkinson, Harvey L. Myers, Elias Ulmer and Henry Frankenfield, was appointed immediately, and went to work to have plans and specifications for the building presented an bid on. H. E. DeHoff, architect, of Philadelphia, arranged the plans which developed into the present structure, From a number of bids presented, George W. Frankenfield, of Ambler, was selected to do the building, and rushed the work to completion, so as to have the building dedicated before bad roads and cold weather.  The main building is rectangular, flanked on either side, at the front with a tower, the western tower being the main entrance and containing the bell which weighs seventeen hundred pounds, and was donated by a member of the congregation. The eastern tower is the main entrance to the assembly or Sunday school room.  The main auditorium receives its light through the windows containing Bible scenes such as “Christ in the Temple,” “Jesus the Good Shepherd,” “Jesus Knocking at the Door,” and others done in very artistic style. It is carpeted with green Brussels carpet which was placed by the Woman’s Home and Foreign Mission Society of the congregation, and filled with oak pews which will seat about five hundred people. The altar, pulpit, lectern, font, Bibles, vases and windows and other furnishings, except pews, were donated by members. The Sunday school room, which is under the main auditorium, has a seating capacity of about two hundred and fifty in the main room. It is thirty-four by sixty feet and furnished with reversible back pews so as to arrange classes that the teachers may face their pupils. On the southwest side of the main room are three rooms for the primary departments furnished with comfortable little chairs for the little folks.  The building is heated by two Bengal heaters placed in the Sunday school room, the heat being carried by registers to the main auditorium.  The auditorium is ventilated by an approved system of ventilator shafts from the floor. At the southeast end of the building a pulpit and organ recess is built, extending back from the main building ten feet. A new pipe organ will be installed into the latter place as soon as the weather is settled in the spring, the same being donated by a member. The building complete without furnishings will cost about $15,000

Intelligencer March 24, 1868

German Reformed and Lutheran Church: A meeting of those interested in the building of the new German Reformed and Lutheran Church at Sellersville was held last week, at which it was decided that the proposed building should be erected the coming summer. Three acres of land have been purchased of William Schlichter as a site for the church. About $4,000 has been subscribed towards the movement.

Intelligencer August 11, 1933

Jacobs Evangelical Lutheran Church:  Log Church Dedicated: Uniontown, Aug. 10 (INS)-A memorial log church was dedicated at the 160^th anniversary of the founding of the Jacobs Evangelical Lutheran Church. In German township. It is the second oldest church in Western Pennsylvania.  The logs for the memorial church were taken from the second edifice erected by the Jacobs congregation. The log church was built about 1800 and was used for services until 1846, when the present church was erected. The congregation was organized in 1773.

Intelligencer Nov 30, 1887

Lower Tinicum Church: The convention convened in the Tinicum Brick Church, on Saturday morning, November 26^th, and after devotional services an election was held and C. M. Myers, of Pipersville school, was elected president; Emma Fox, of the Mount Airy school, secretary; Samuel A. Walter, of the Point Pleasant school, treasurer.  Addresses were made by Rev. Gleisner, of Carversville; Rev. Joseph W. Mayne, of Dublin; Rev. H. A. Bomberger, of Wormansville; I. J. Moyer, of Danborough; and Allen J. Moyer, of Gardenville, on the subject of infant schools, their relation to the Sunday school and the church.  After devotional services in the afternoon addresses were made by Rev. Gleisner, Rev. Bomberger, I. J. Moyer and Allen J. Moyer, on the subject, “How to promote Sunday school singing.” Superintendent Shock, of Pipersville school, had a singing class of Little boys and girls, who did some singing. Rev. Dr. James I. Good, of Philadelphia, having just arrived sang a selection accompanied by an organ, after which he made an address on the subject, “The teacher as a soul-winner.” Mr. Good is an eloquent speaker and spoke for the time allotted to him with enthusiasm and was listened to by a large audience with pleasure and close attention.  The evening was devoted to singing and a discussion on “Sunday school literature,” by Rev. Joseph W. Mayne, I. J. Moyer, Samuel A. Walter and Samuel Ulmer, after which the convention adjourned to meet in Dublin, in June 1888.

Intelligencer July 4, 1907

Lower Tinicum Church Completely Destroyed: LARGE AND HANDSOME EDIFICE DEVOURED BY FLAMES: Reformed and Lutheran Congregations made homeless by fire early Wednesday morning- Nothing saved from the building- Insured for $10,000. The Lower Tinicum Church was totally destroyed by fire early Wednesday morning. When first seen about three o’clock flames were seen coming from the roof and the alarm was given, but there was no fire apparatus and nothing except buckets to work with and only a few persons in the vicinity little could be done to save the building or furnishings. The origin of the fire is unknown, although many think it was struck during the storm Tuesday night and the fire smoldered until early in the morning. A man who passed the church between eight and nine o’clock Tuesday night says it was alright at that time. The building and furnishings were insured for $10,000.  The church is occupied by the Reformed and Lutheran congregations. The Rev. F. S. Long, of Frenchtown, N. J., being the Reformed pastor, and Rev. C. C. Snyder, of Dublin, the Lutheran pastor.  HISTORY OF THE CHURCH: The burned church was known as the Brick church, and is located on the road from Point Pleasant to Dark Hollow. The records of the church run back to 1747, but the congregation worshiping there was probably organized at an earlier date. The first church built of logs, stood on the hill at the graveyard a few hundred yards from the road. The building just destroyed, the third, erected in 1861 at an expense of $11,000 of brick, was large and imposing, with basement, and audience room in second story. It was handsomely frescoed and had a large organ. The spire towered above all surrounding objects, being one of the highest in Bucks county. The audience room of the church seated a thousand people.  An old graveyard is adjacent to the church. The oldest gravestone therein is that of William Jiser, who died in 1759, aged thirty-two years. Among the early pastors of the church were Johnathan Wolf Bizel in 1760. Frederick Miller in 1774, and Nichols Mensch in 1807. The joint congregations, Reformed and Lutheran, number upwards of a thousand members.

Intelligencer March 7, 1888

Lower Tinicum Church: A Pastor Called: Rev. H. A. Bomberger, pastor of the Lower Tinicum Church, Bucks county, has been unanimously called to the pastorate of Heidelberg Reformed Church, York, Pa., and the call has been accepted.

Intelligencer November 22, 1900

 NEW BAPTIST CHURCH AT WYCOMBE: Work on the foundation for the new Baptist church at Wycombe, Bucks county, has been commenced, and the corner stone laying will take place on Thanksgiving Day, Rev. C. W. Teasdale, pastor of the Solebury Baptist Church, has the arrangements in charge, and it is owing largely to his interest in the matter that the proposed church edifice will be a reality in the near future. The structure, a view which is shown above, will be of frame, calculated to seat about 300 people in the main room and lecture room adjoining. This will be the first Baptist church erected in the village. The interest is the outcome of a series of religious meetings held in the grove near by last summer by Rev. E. C. Romine, of Philadelphia. For the present it will probably remain as a mission of the Solebury church. The building will cost in the neighborhood of $2500. A Sunday school has been organized by the denomination, which meets in Wycombe hall, where preaching services are also held by Mr. Teasdale.

Intelligencer November 22, 1900

NEWTOWN METHODIST CHURCH: DEDICATION ANNIVERSARY: The fourth anniversary of the dedication of the Newtown Methodist church, at the corner of Green and Liberty streets, was observed on Sunday. The new church has been occupied only these few years, although Methodism was introduced into Newtown in 1811 and 1812, during which years great revival meetings were held in that vicinity. An organization which has proved permanent was effected in 1840, nearly thirty years later. The charge was then embraced in the Doylestown Attleborough circuit.  The old church building which is immediately adjoining the new edifice was erected in 1842. Frederick Ellinger, T. Jenks and William Davy being the most active and prominent members. Some years ago it was decided, on account of the increase in membership, that it would be necessary to erect a new structure and this building was dedicated in 1896.  The services on Sunday were those customary in the Methodist church and were marked only by the several preferences to the successful growth of the congregation in Newtown.  Rev. Edward Devine, the pastor in charge at Newtown for the past three years, arranged the services for the day and for the week to come, when various visiting clergymen will speak, in Newtown.  The sermon on Sunday morning the presiding Elder Rev. J. R. Taylor Gray, of Philadelphia preached an impressive sermon from the text “And despisest thou the church of God?” During the service “Sun of My Soul” was sung with solos and chorus, the solo parts being taken by Miss Elizabeth S. Sickel and Harry Case.  On Sunday evening there was a large congregation present to listen to the sermon by Rev. T. W. McKinney, of Frankford, Philadelphia.  The speakers for the services on the evenings during the week are announced as follows: Monday, Rev. George M. Broadhead; Tuesday, Rev. Virgil Rorer; Wednesday, Rev. Alfred Heebner; Thursday, Rev. Dr. C. W. Bickley; Friday, Rev. C. Wesley Burns. On Saturday evening the annual anniversary supper will be given in Newtown Hall.

Intelligencer March 31, 1868

Pleasantville Reformed Church: Rededication Services.  The Reformed Church of Pleasantville will be re-opened for public worship on EASTER SABBATH, the TWELFTH of APRIL (D. V.) Preaching by the Rev. D. E. Klopp, of Philadelphia. Services at 10 o’clock a. m., and 7 ½ p. m.  The public are most cordially invited to attend.

Intelligencer October 11, 1900

Pleasantville Reformed Church: [picture shown in paper] History of the Church: The beginning of the Pleasantville Reformed Church was a series of evangelistic meetings held in the grove of Jacob Cassel, and in the barn on the property now owned by T. A. Hoover when it rained during the month of September, 1840, by Rev. Charles H. Ewing, assisted, by Rev. Truman Osborne and Rev. Samuel Helfenstein. As the result of these meetings an organization was effected in the County Line school house the latter part of September, 1840, and on October 6^th, 1840, the first elders, and deacons were installed in the school house. Two acres of land situated on the Whitehallville pike, in Warrington township, five miles southwest of Doylestown was donated by John Dunlap and in the latter part of 1840 the erection of the first church building was begun. It was a plain substantial structure, 60X51 feet abd 20 feet to the square. The dedication took place May 19^th, 1841, the Rev. Samuel Helfenstein preaching the dedicatory sermon. The Rev. Joseph Berg preached the next day, which was the Sabbath, and the meetings were continued for two days. The cost of the church was about $3000, not counting the voluntary assistance rendered by willing hands. The church was supplied by pastors of the Reformed church from its organization until January 1841, when it called the Rev. Charles H. Ewing. The pastorate continued for fifteen months, during which time the membership was increased by 41. The Rev. William E. Cornwell was the second pastor, being installed May 3, 1842. This pastorate continued seven years and he received into its communion 108 members. His last sermon was preached October 20, 1850, and the next Sunday the people waited in vain for the pastor, for he did not appear, but instead a message was received that he had that day rebaptised by immersion by the pastor of the Hatboro Baptist Church. The next day he handed in his resignation. The Rev. N. S. Aller was next called as the pastor of the flock, and he began his work November 14, 1850, and continued in the office for 21 years and 6 months. He also preached at Leidytown and supplied North Wales for a time. During his pastorate many improvements were made to the church property and a large number added to the membership. He resigned in May, 1871, and united with the Presbyterian church, and for eleven months Rev. Uriah Weidner, a local deacon in the Methodist church, supplied the pulpit. A call was then extended to the Rev. W. D. C. Rodrock, and he was installed May 10, 1872, but remained as pastor only one year, his resignation going into effect April 1, 1873.  In the years 1872-1873great improvements were made in the church property, and Benjamin Larzalere gave one acre of land for shedding purposes and a parsonage when needed, and more ground was added to the cemetery. Rev. Weidner again acted as supply from April 1, 1873, to July, 1875. January 25, 1875, a call was extended to him to become pastor, which he accepted and he was ordained and installed in St. Luke’s Church, Trappe, June 14^th, 1875. Rev. Weidner’s pastorate covered a period of 15 years, resigning March 1, 1890. Rev. C. B. Alspach became pastor on June 5, 1890, and remained until the summer of 1892. His pastorate was characterized by the holding of the jubilee anniversary, October 3d. And 4^th, 1890, and the building of the handsome and commodious parsonage near the church. Rev. Silas L. Messinger, was the next clergyman to succeed, in the pastoral office of this church. His pastorate began September 27, 1892, and continued until January 1, 1897, a period of 4 years and 4 months. The present pastor in charge the Rev. J. Hunter Watts, began his labors in April, 1897, being yet a student in the Theological Seminary connected with Ursinus College at Collegeville. After the completion of his course he was ordained and installed as pastor June 29, 1897. The question soon arose whether to repair the old church or rebuild. A vote was taken March 20, 1898. The result was that a majority was in favor of a new church. Accordingly a building committee was appointed and Architect A. Oscar Martin, of Doylestown, was employed to present plans for the new edifice. His plans were accepted and on June 5^th, 1898, a farewell service was held in the old church. The following day workmen began to tear down the old building. The cornerstone of the new structure was laid July 10, 1898. The cost of the new edifice was about $7000.  The roll call of persons who allied themselves with the church during the third and fourth decade, 1860 to 1880 were read by Elder John F. Detweiler and found to be 311 in number. After a hymn by the congregation the services concluded with the benediction.  The attendance at the sixtieth anniversary celebration of the Pleasantville Reformed church held on Monday evening was fair despite the down pour of rain. Services began with the singing of the doxology by the congregation and invocation by Rev. J. Hunter Watts. Rev. D. N. Wolf, of Blue Bell, brought the greetings of Boehm’s Reformed church, of which he is pastor. Boehm’s has passed the 160^th year.  Rev. J. R. Bergey then followed with greetings from Salem Reformed church, of Doylestown.  Rev. Charles B. Alspach, a former pastor who served the congregation from 1890 to 1892, now of the Messiah Reformed church, Philadelphia, preaching an eloquent and forceful sermon on the subject, “The Living Christ.” After the sermon prayer was offered by Rev. Wolf. Then Elder I. K. Clymer called the roll of members of the fifth decade. The number received during this period was 133, but only a small number responded to their names. The services closed by singing of the hymn, “Jesus Lover of My Soul,” and benediction by Rev. C. B. Alspach.

Intelligencer June 11, 1867

Pleasantville Reformed: The ladies of Pleasantville purpose holding a grand strawberry festival in the German Reformed church, of that place, on the afternoon and evening of the 20^th, 21^st, and 22d of June.

Intelligencer Aug. 24, 1887

Red Hill Sunday School: Local Affairs: Red Hill Sunday School Picnic: On last Saturday the Red Hill Sunday School held its picnic in Thomas Sassman’s grove near Red Hill. The Brick Church, Snyder’s and Red Hill Sunday schools were in attendance.  The schools were addressed by Rev. Joseph W. Mayne, of Dublin, and Rev. H. A. Bomberger, of Wormansville. Music was furnished by the Hellertown Brass Band. A game of baseball was played, which is a new amusement for a Sunday school picnic.  The attendance was good and all appeared to enjoy themselves for a while, but towards evening a disgraceful fight took place. A young man named Louder had a difficulty with a man named Esser, who appeared to be intoxicated, and struck him with a blow which took a great part of the skin from his nose and set the blood to flow freely.  A brother of Mr. Esser interfered and was greeted in the same manner. Several ladies fainted and many of the children were greatly frightened.

Intelligencer, 1862

Richland Monthly Meeting: The members of Richland Monthly Meeting of Friends expect to be building their new meeting house at Quakertown immediately, and hope to have it completed before harvest. About one thousand dollars were raised by subscription in a few days, and eight hundred dollars were realized by the sale of certain real estate belonging to the meeting.

Intelligencer August 30, 1928

Salem Reformed Church: Doylestown, Aug. 25 - Tomorrow will be another banner day in the history of Salem Reformed Church when the cornerstone to the new $50,000 addition now being erected, will be laid at 2.30 p. m.  This morning Rev. Charles F. Freeman, pastor of the church, announced the following program: Invocation, Rev. Freeman; hymn, “How Firm a Foundation;” scripture reading Rev. George M. Whitenack, Jr., representing the Christian Council of Doylestown; choir, “Fear Not, O Israel,” directed by Charles Schabinger; prayer, Rev. George W. Spotts, Telford; solo, “Open The Gates of the Temple,” Charles Schabinger; greetings, Rev. Charles B. Weaver, Perkasie, representing the president of the Tohickon Classis, hymn. “I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord;” address, Rev. Howard Obold, Perkasie; choir; offering; laying of cornerstone, Rev. Charles F. Freeman, pastor; hymn and benediction.  The following articles will be placed in the cornerstone: A copy of the Holy Bible, copy of the Daily Intelligencer, containing the program, coins bearing year date, copy of Bulletin, names of church officers and building committee, list of names of subscribers. It was announced this morning that services will be held rain or shine. All the congregation of Doylestown, with their pastors have been invited to attend the services as well as the congregations and pastors of the Tohickon Classis.

Intelligencer March 21, 1901

Salem Reformed Church: Forty years of good work and wonderful growth were celebrated by the congregation of the Salem Reformed Church, of Doylestown, on Sunday morning. Just forty years ago, on that day the church was organized with a membership of twenty. In the intervening years it has steadily increased its membership until at present it has a roll of nearly 300?

Intelligencer April 19, 1859

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Flatland, Richland: Corner Stone- The lying of the Corner Stone of the Church in Flatland, Bucks county, will take place on the THIRTEENTH of APRIL and FIRST of May, 1859. The Church is to be a house of worship for the Evan. Lutheran and German Reformed congregations in Richland township. All citizens are friendly invited to attend. Different Ministers of the Gospell will Preach on the above occasion.  GEORGE WALP, JOHN FRETZ, ENOCH BEIHN, JACOB MESSEMER, CHARLES FELLMAN, CHARLES WOLF

Intelligencer November 17, 1933

St. John’s Lutheran Church; Church 125 ears old: Richlandtown, Nov. 16- The 125^th anniversary of the founding of St. John’s Lutheran Church will be commemorated on Sunday, November 26, with services in the morning, afternoon and evening.  The morning service at 10 o’clock will be featured by a sermon by the Rev. William Fluck, Reading, formerly pastor of the Dublin-Tinicum Lutheran charge, and second sermon by Rev. H. V. Weaver, Kulpsville...

Intelligencer 1/31/1901

St. Paul’s Reformed, Sellersville New Church for Sellersville: Architect A. Oscar Martin, of Doylestown, has just completed plans and specifications for a handsome new church to be built at the corner of Green and Penn street, Sellersville, for St. Paul’s Reformed congregation. The structure which will have a most conveniently arranged interior, will be of Gothic architecture of local stone trimmed with Indiana limestone. The dimensions are 53X100 feet. Bids are now being received from contractors.

Intelligencer February 7, 1901

Trinity Memorial Church:Trinity Episcopal Church, erected by Dr. and Mrs. R. V. Mattison as a memorial to their daughter, Esther Victoria Mattison, who died twelve years ago at the age of 4 years, was consecrated at Ambler Sunday. The services, lasting nearly three hours were in charge of Rev. H. M. G. Huff, the Bishop’s chaplain. The presentation to the diocese was made by Dr. Mattison, and Rev. F. Steinmetz, of Ridley Park, read the consecration sentence. Lessons were read by Rev. Lyman P. Powell, of Lansdowne, former rector of Trinity Memorial; Dr. Mason, rector emeritus of St. James’ Kingsessing, Philadelphia, and Rev. J. H. Converse, of Gwynedd. The rite of the Holy Communion was administered by the Bishop, and the sermon was preached by Rev. H. J. Cook, rector of Calvary Church, Conshohocken, and Dean of Convocation of Norristown.  The rector of the church, Rev. E. W. Brestell, read the epistle. The Diocese was represented by Bishop Whitaker, who accepted the church.  The church choir, of twenty-two voices, under the leadership of John G. Hayes, sang during the services the “Te Deum,” by Barrett; “Jubilate,” Parker; “How Amiable Are Thy Dwellings,” Spohr; “Angel Trio,” Mendelssohn; “Sarctus,” Garrett, and “Gloria in Excelsis.” There were many visiting clergymen in attendance, among whom were Revs. Mr. Gassner, of the Seamen’s Mission, Philadelphia; John Keller, chaplain of the Bishop, Newark, N. J.; Mr. Savage, Church of the Beloved Disciple, of Philadelphia; Mr. Trotter, Bristol, R. D.; Mr. Cole, Ogontz, and Mr. Fulford, Richmond, Philadelphia.

Intelligencer December 6, 1900

WYCOMBE BAPTIST CHURCH,  CORNER STONE LAID: The corner stone of the Wycombe Baptist Church was laid on Thursday afternoon, quite a number of people being present to witness the exercises, the most prominent feature of which was an address by Rev. John H. Deming, of Doylestown.  The formal program included singing, horn selections by Jesse Dresser and son, of Newtown; prayer by Rev. E. C. Romine, of Philadelphia, and William Sands, of Trenton; addresses by Rev. T. W. Teasdale, of Solebury, and Rev. Charles T. Holcombe, of Penn’s Park.  Rev. Mr. Deming dwell upon the fundamental principal of the fact that our sufficiency is always in God. When the human forces cannot avail the strength of the Heavenly power will make itself felt and will overcome all obstacles. Three vitally important things must be remembered in our work, said Mr. Deming. In the first place, the Church is God-given. It is divine, not human. Again, the purpose of the church is not human; it is emphatically divine. The aim of the church is that there may be light where darkness has resigned in the past. “This church is not to boom real estate in Wycombe; it is not founded so you can tell prospective residents that there is a church here. Nor is it for social purposes,” said Mr. Deming. “But it is for the divine purpose of working for our Heavenly Father.” In the third place, the power of the church has is divine. We can struggle to start it and keep it going successfully, and, if we exhaust all our resources we can fall back to God. “The trouble is, in this church, work” said the speaker, “that we do not apply the ordinary commonsense principles of business to it.”  After reading the names of the contributors to the church fund Rev. Teasdale placed a tin box containing various papers, including a copy of The Intelligencer, into the corner stone and it was sealed up. The stone bears the inscription: FIRST BAPTIST 1900 CHURCH  In the evening a supper was given by the ladies of the church in Wycombe Hall, an entertainment following later. The proceeds were for the benefit of the building fund.

Intelligencer March 21, 1901

Wycombe Baptist Church, Baptist Church Organized: The organization of a regular Baptist church at Wycombe effected in part last Sunday afternoon, was completed Wednesday night. Rev. C. W. Teasdale was chosen pastor, Jacob Bratsing, clerk; deacons R. B. Cotter, Harry Carter and Robert Noel; trustees, W. S. Opple, Jacob Bratsing, Harry Carter, R. B. Cotter and Robert Noel. The organization starts out with twelve members and two persons awaiting baptism. Application for a charter will be made at once. The ordinance of baptism will be administered next Sunday afternoon in the new house of worship.

Intelligencer January 4, 1901

Sellersville Reformed: Contracts for New Church: At a meeting of the Sellersville Reformed congregation Wednesday the building committee’s plans to sublet the various contracts viz: stone work, carpenter work, plastering, mill work, plumbing, etc., to the lowest bidders were approved. The King of Prussia marble will be used. The total cost of the various items, not including the interior furnishings is $15,248.63

Intelligencer March 11, 1901

St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church: Fine Church for Catholics: Steps looking to the erection of a church edifice that will excel in appointments any house of worship in Norristown have been taken by St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Parish, of which Rev. Thomas F. Shanon is the rector. The cost of the structure will be $150,000 and may exceed that sum. To make room for this structure at the corner of Chestnut and DeKalb streets, a private residence and the building occupied by the Sisters of the immaculate Heart will be demolished, in addition to the church, a rectory and a new structure for the Sisters will be built. The site, a very valuable one, has a front on DeKalb street of 120 feet and a depth of 250 feet.  The present church, on Lafayette street, has not been satisfactory for a number of years, owing to the fact that the Pennsylvania Railroad passes directly in front of the church, the moving of the trains being annoying to congregation and clergy. The congregation was some years ago awarded heavy damages against the company, and expended that sum in the purchase of the DeKalb street lot.

Intelligencer, April 11, 1901

St. Paul’s Reformed: Listed Under Sellersville: Evacuations for St. Paul’s Reformed church were started on Easter Monday by members of the congregation. About fifty appeared on the scene during the day and produced telling effects upon the soil. Rev. G. G. Greenawald, the pastor, turned a half dozen furrows with the plow. All professions and trades were represented among the diggers. The stone contract will begin in a couple of weeks and then the work will be pushed rapidly.

Intelligencer, Oct. 5, 1990

Christ Lutheran Lower Tinicum:  Harte to be installed at Christ Lutheran:  On Sunday at 7 p.m., a service of installation for the Rev. Barry J. Harte as pastor will be held at Christ Lutheran Church, Dark Hollow Road, Tinicum Township.  The Rev. Michael G. Merkel, bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, will preside at the service of Holy Communion. The Rev. Eric R. Seibert, pastor of the Trinity Lutheran Church, Perkasie, and dean of the Upper Bucks Parish, will preach. Seibert’s first congregation as pastor was Christ Lutheran.  Harte comes to Tinicum from South Carolina, where he served as an associate pastor for four years at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Summerville. Previous to this assignment, he assisted at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in the Burholme section of Philadelphia.  Upper Bucks is familiar territory to Harte. His home church was Christ Lutheran of Hellertown, Northampton County.  Harte attended William & Mary, Williamsburg, Va., where his intent to enter the field of foreign service. “By the end of college, I knew I wanted to enter the ministry,” Harte said. Following his graduation from William & Mary in 1992 he enrolled in the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, Mount Airy, and graduated in 1986.  Harte, who is 30 and single, said he enjoys all phases of the ministry, from preaching to studying church history. Music is one of his hobbies. He sings, plays the organ and has even tried his hand at composing.  “We have a good lay participating in the worship service. Parishioners do the Kyrie, prayers of the church and Scripture readings. They also serve as communion assistants,” he said. Harte usually chants the liturgy.  “Christ Lutheran is a warm congregation and I felt welcomed here. There’s a good optimism about what the future holds. Fellowship is very important here,” he said, noting that he has been busy getting acquainted with his new parishioners.  He said his broken arm which he injured in a fall from his motorcycle, has helped him get to know his congregation more rapidly as members have been inviting him to dinners and providing him with transportation.  Apart from riding his motorcycle, which he bought in January, Harte’s hobbies include water sports, especially sailing. He is rebuilding a sailboat, which he plans to sail on Lake Nockamixon. He said he worked at the lake when he attended high school in Hellertown.   The pastor’s favorite authors are Frederick Buechner, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Garrison Keilor.  The church is responsive to the needs of the community, he said,  and supports such programs as the food pantry at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Haycock Township, and the Emergency Outreach for Quakertown, Pennridge and Palisades (EQPP)  The congregation, which numbers 375 confirmed members, is pretty evenly distributed as to age, according to Harte, and has many faithful families.  The large facilities make it easy to open the church doors to community groups, such as YMCA aerobics classes and Alcoholics Anonymous, to name a few.  A large addition, constructed of stone to coordinate with the original building, was completed in the late 1950s. This wing includes Sunday school rooms, a kitchen and a large parish hall.  A covered dish supper in the parish hall, beginning at 5, will precede the installation service. A coffee and desert hour will follow the service.

Intelligencer May 16, 1901

Lansdale Baptist Church:  FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY-  The First Baptist Church of Lansdale, held special services on Sunday in honor of the fifteenth anniversary of the organization of the church as an independent body. The Baptist interest in Lansdale is somewhat older than this, a mission having been established there some two or three years earlier.  Rev. F. W. Johnson, the pastor, who has been with the church nearly seven years had the services in charge. In the morning he spoke on “Old Landmarks,” reciting briefly some points in the history of the church that should give encouragement to the present membership.  At the session of the Sunday school in the afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Gerlitzki, of Doylestown, sang some sweet gospel songs. They were also present at the evening church service, when they rendered several beautiful duets in the presence of a large congregation.  The Lansdale Baptist Church has a valuable property at the corner of Broad and Third streets, including a parsonage, chapel and primary department. Steps are being taken to erect a new church on the corner lot, and funds are being gathered for that purpose. The present membership is 166, with a Sunday school of over 200.

Intelligencer Jan. 24, 1930

Carversville Church: CARVERSVILLE CHURCH, SOLD, LOANED MEMBERS- CARVERSVILLE, Jan. 20-Through the interest of Mrs. Isaiah Closson, a member of the Ladies Auxiliary, and the generosity of her husband, who recently bought the edifice when it was sold for the mortgage, this community hopes to have regular church services.  For many years after the congregation was organized and the church was first built fifty-eight years ago, it was one of the most prosperous in Bucks county. Congregations were so large at times that the church was filled to overflowing.  Then, in recent years, interest appeared to lag. Automobiles made it possible for descendants of older member families to attend elsewhere, and various handicaps of this sort arose.  Several months ago services ceased and the Presbytery decided to sell the church for the mortgage.  Because her father had been largely instrumental in having the church built, Mrs. Closson had a sentimental reason for regretting its passing and interested her husband, who bought the church on Thursday and agreed to give the Ladies’ Aid Society the use of it in an effort to again build up a congregation for services here.  Rev. Mr. Long, New Hope, was the last supply pastor of the congregation which was dissolved by Presbytery six months ago.  The congregation was dissolved about six months ago, a member of the session said this morning “because of the waning interest shown by members and because so many of the elders had moved from the community. At least three of the elders moved to Doylestown. For years Presbytery poured thousands of dollars into the church without being able to induce the community to materially contribute to the support of it. I doubt very much that Presbytery will consent to being a party to reviving the congregation.”  The organic life of Carversville Presbyterian Church dates its beginning on Jan. 28, 1871, when the Presbytery of Philadelphia North convened in extraordinary session in what was known at the time as the Excelsior Normal Institute, and constituted the church with fourteen members. A building was erected in 1874.