The Origin of the Brick Church, Lower Tinicum
The following was sent to me by Tom Myers November 6, 2002. This was in response of my request of any information he had on the original log church which presumably was located on or near the site of the present day Hillpot graveyard. Additional information will be added in the future. [ Thanks, Tom ] The Brick Church shown and on the map below were the second site of the Lower Tinicum Lutheran Church. The Fox graveyard is shown to the right of image
Petition for the Incorporation of the Union Evangelical Lutheran and German Reformed Christ’s Church of Tinicum – Lear Atty Filed June 10, 1863. To the Hon. The Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Bucks County. The petition of the undersigned members of the Lutheran Congregation worshipping in the Brick Church in Tinicum Township respectfully represents
That they are in favor of the incorporation of “The Union Evangelical Lutheran and German Reformed Christ’s Church of Tinicum,” and they therefore pray your Honors to incorporate the same according to the articles, conditions to ___asented and filed in said Court March 10, 1863 and they will to
Signed by the following:
John Snyder, Sr.; Tobias Swope; Amos Lear; Saml H. Calfe; John Calfe; James M. Keller?; John Moore; Jacob Lightcap; Anthony Snyder; Isaac Snyder; M. B. Fox; Jonas H. Calfe; Franklin Laubenstein; Aaron Crouthamel; John F. Hillpot; Charles B. Yost; William Lutz; Isaac Weaver; Samuel Laubenstein; Levi Stone; John Tettemer; Harvey Hillpot; John Fox; and John G. Ridge.
1. 3rd church book (1865-1888)--Rev. C. Phillip Miller [served] 1842 to 1865
nearly 23 years. During the last years of his ministry the congregation erected
a fine new brick Church. Corner stone laid 1861. Present church.
2. 4th church book (1888-1919)--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 Con 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 the the Reformed Cong purchase the old
walls and adjoining ground for $1800.00, 1/2 of said amount to be paid to Christ
Evang Lutheran Cong of Lwer 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 of 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 2nd, 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. ......
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..... 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.
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. Haas, Pres of Muhlenberg College; Rev. W.O.
Fegely; Church Council and Building Committee, bearing Bibles and offering
plates; Ushers; Choir, and assembled Congregations, filed out of Sunday School
Room to main entrance of Church where the opening consecratory Services were
conducted....
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 has been subscribed for
this purpose..... 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.
3. 5th church book (1919-) Upon the initiative of Rev. Fisher funds left for the
care of the Fox Graveyard were used for annual care of the same; a fund of some
$2090 was raised for perpetual care of the Swope Graveyard [presumably the
portion across the road from the Fox Graveyard] (the interest of which fund to
be used for no other purpose than that of the care and upkeep of the Swope Yard
as shown by action of council and congregation meeting) thru the support of a
committee composed of Jonas Gruver, Titus Trauger and John Hillpot; the Union
Cemetery Board of Managers was reorganized [presumably the "new" cemetery]; and
thru his efforts alone the colonial Graveyard was placed into perpetual care
1927-29--this yard not known by any name was called the Hillpot Graveyard
because more Hillpots than any other family name was found upon legible
tombstone and because a large part of financial assistance came thru that
family. Work was begun Jan 1927 when 5 two-horse loads of cord wood were removed
thru free labor.