The following information has been graciously sent to me by Betty Riter, Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer of the Springfield Township Historical Society. Over the past couple of years or more Betty has so kindly sent several pieces of information which have proved to be invaluable to my research. I would like to display pictures of these churches, if anyone has pictures or would like to add additional information please contact me. I am particularly interested in older prints. If any one has questions regarding the information, please contact Betty at www.bgriter@msn.com , or contact the Springfield Township Historical Society. Thank You Betty, for your contributions and support.
MOUNT CARMEL NEW REFORMED CHURCH.
Route 212
History: On January 4, 1885, Reverend Joseph M. Hartzell was called to the pastorate of the Springfield congregation by the Tohicon Classis of the Reformed Church. On October 8, 1885, he was commanded to cease after petitions had been circulated declaring that his ministrations were anti-Reformed. More than 100 persons withdrew from the congregation and met at the home of Cletus S. Weirbach, where Hartzell was the preacher. The Weierbachs, one of the founding families of Springfield Township, were instrumental in building Mount Carmel Methodist Church. They solicited subscriptions for the building of the church along the Old Bethlehem Road in Pleasant Valley. The cornerstone of Mount Carmel New Reformed Church was laid on May 30, 1887, with J. M. Hartzell, Pastor. The frame building measured 14 feet by 20 feet and consisted of one room. Helen Weierbach Mease went to church here. It was her father, Harry W Weierbach, who started the church. The church congregation was made up of Weierbachs. Helen Weierbach Mease was a daughter of Harry W. and Stella Unangst Weierbach.
1897. March 20. Dress Making. The undersigned having just completed a course in dressmaking under able instruction is now ready to do all kinds of work either at her home or by the day. Rates Reasonable. Stella Unangst. Care of Henry Unangst. PleasantValley Pa. S. W. T.
1897. March 20. Mt. Carmel. Sunday at 10 a. m., church services by Reverend J. M. Hartzell.
1898. March 5. Mt. Carmel. Reverend B. F. Campbell.
1899. September 30. Mt. Carmel Church. Reverend J. M. Hartzell.
1900. August 4. Sunday 9:30 a. m., services by J. M. Hartzell. S. W. T.
1901. June 29. Mt. Carmel Church – Reverend J. M. Hartzell. Springtown Weekly Times.
1906. February 10. Mt. Carmel. Reverend G. B. Sweigert farewell sermon. Springtown Weekly Times.
1908. October 3. Revival services will begin in Mt. Carmel church, Pleasant Valley, Sunday evening, October 11. S. W. T.
Over the years, the membership dwindled. It got to be hard to make up the Pastor’s salary. The church was disbanded in 1946.
In 1946, the school board purchased Mt. Carmel Church. The minister at that time was Reverend McFall. The building was renovated for two classrooms; one room was for 8th grade, the other room was for a commercial department. Typewriters were purchased. John Clair Hershey did the renovations. Classes were held there for eight years. The building had no bathroom. Mount Carmel students went to lunch at the rebuilt Springfield High School, now Springfield Elementary School. (see picture of children having lunch in cafeteria of Springfield Elementary School.)
A picture of the interior of Mount Carmel School, showing a classroom with boys and girls seated
two at a desk. The music teacher is conducting a lesson in the bright and spacious, many windowed room. Kindergarten was held in a downstairs room. Mary Strock was the 5th grade teacher. She was a good teacher, with the patience and kindness needed to take a pupil aside and give extra help when it was needed.
Then the former church was used as a storage building for a period of twenty years. The time came when the school needed to widen its driveway so in 1979 the building was torn down as part of a school expansion project in making way for the school driveway. The cornerstone of the church stands alongside the school.