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User:Smallbones/New Hanover Lutheran Church

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Church in 1913

40°18′01″N 75°34′47″W / 40.3003°N 75.5797°W / 40.3003; -75.5797 New Hanover Evangelical Lutheran Church located at 2941 Lutheran Road near Gilbertsville in New Hanover Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania was founded about 1700 and is considered to be the oldest German Lutheran church in the United States. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, the patriarch of the early German Lutheran church in America, served as pastor of the church from 1742-1761.[1]

Paraphrasing only, needs more sources etc.

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Founded in 1700 by Daniel Falckner. Falckner's Swamp (check)

Because of a shortage of ordained ministers, early pastors often served several congregations during the eighteenth century.

Henry Melchior Muhlenberg arrived in 1742 with New Hanover being one of the three original churches he served. The others were St. Michael's in Philadelphia, about 40 miles southeast, and Augustus Lutheran Church in Trappe, Pennsylvania, about 10 miles to the southeast. Muhlenberg's congregations soon expanded to include St. Michael's in Germantown near Philadelphia, and several other congregations even further distant.

Log church built.... The current stone church was built in 1768, and used in 1777 as a temporary hospital by Continental troops following their defeat at the Battle of the Brandywine.

Henry Muhlenberg's son, Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg served as pastor from 1777 to 1778 and later served in the Continental Congress and became the first Speaker of the House of Representatives in the first Congress of the United States in 1790?[1]

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Daniel Falckner, a German theological student, came to America as an agent for the Frankfort Land Company. Ordained as a minister on a return visit to Germany just before 1700,

Following in Falckner's footsteps was a procession of ministers, mostly "circuit" pastors, who served several congregations at the same time.

Henry Melchior Muhlenberg 1742. He preached his first sermon in Pennsylvania at New Hanover on November 28 of that year. His call included New Hanover, Providence (Trappe), and Philadelphia (St. Michael's). Under Muhlenberg's guidance New Hanover grew and prospered.

Before 1768 three log structures served as the church.

During the War for American Independence, after wounded from Brandywine and Paoli. As the army moved north of the Schuylkill River, encampments were established from Pottsgrove to Towamencin, and the church at New Hanover became a temporary hospital.

In 1777-1778, the Reverend Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg, son of Henry, served the New Hanover congregation. He later entered civil life and served both in the Continental Congress and the first Congress of the United States, where he became the first Speaker of the House of Representatives.

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Start of the 19th century still shared pastors with other congregations in the area through the sharing of a Pastor.

Groups in Boyertown, Pennsylvania Keelor, Pennsylvania Sassman, Pennsylvania and Hill, Pennsylvania all shared pastors with New Hanover. This sharing of Pastors would continue in one form or another until 1886 when St. Johns, Boyertown would call their own Pastor, leaving New Hanover’s Pastor to tend only to that congregation.

The church at New Hanover consisted of the church building itself as well as numerous other structures including a working farm, the crops and animals of which were used to partially pay the Pastor. This arrangement also applied to the Schoolmaster who, in 1831, was allowed by unanimous vote the privilege of grazing his sheep in the cemetery (except on Sunday during service and the preceding Saturday). In 1833 he was also given a stonecutting shop which was located on the congregation's land.

1950 Exterior. There were different buildings used as a Parsonage during the 19th century, the last of which was sold along with 21 acres of farm land in 1870. A new Parsonage would be built in the 20th century. The schoolmaster also would have more than one residence. The last of these was built directly in front of the church in 1854. It was paid for by selling off some woodland and adjoining farmland. This building became a Sunday school and Sexton’s house. This building was dismantled in 1999.

Other buildings in use during the 19th century included barns and sheds, built by members, for the protection of horses and vehicles. This practice started in 1859 by vote of council, and in 1878 a barn was built for the Pastor.

Another part of the church's property that was modified during the 19th century is the cemetery, which dates back to the preceding century. The original "God's acre" saw some changes as the 1800's began. In 1802 a large gate was constructed with the Schoolmaster holding the key. It was not until 1886, however, that the congregation decided to expand and lay out lots leading to the current cemetery form. In 1768, after having worshipped in three log structures for the first three-quarters of a century that it existed, the congregation at New Hanover dedicated its new stone edifice, the building which continues to serve to this day.

In the 19th century the New Hanover congregation prospered and was served by eight pastors including the Rev. Jacob Miller (1809-1829), his brother, the Rev. Conrad Miller (1829-1852), and the Rev. Leonard Groh (1866-1886). The last Pastor of the century was the Rev. John J. Kline who began in 1886 and would continue until 1945. As was seen before most of these pastors would serve more than one congregation.

The schoolmasters of this time period were men who served various functions. They taught in the Church School (prior to Public schools), played the organ, led the singing, and held keys to church property. They were bi-lingual, by necessity, speaking both German and English.

1867-1903 InteriorOver the years the sanctuary has undergone many changes, many of which took place in the 19th century. During this time, a Dieffenbach organ was installed in 1800 and stoves were added in 1811. The interior was completely changed leaving only the roof and outer walls untouched. All the doors but one were removed and walled up. The galleries were changed. The altar, pulpit and organ were put in different locations. The steeple was erected and a bell was added. All of this took place between November 1867 and November 1868. In 1885 the woodwork was painted and the frescoes were added.

Another important change in the church was not a physical one, but rather a linguistic one. Little by little the original German was replaced by English. This was a slow process that started in 1853 when Pastor Jaeger was given permission to occasionally preach in English. In 1878 it was decided that every third service would be in English. This trend continued into the next century when German finally disappeared from all worship services.

During the 19th century the United States was involved in several wars and New Hanover sent men to most, including eight members who fought in the War of 1812 and thirteen who fought in the Civil War, two of whom came home to be buried in New Hanover's cemetery.

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The sanctuary was completely renovated in 1905 including a basement excavation with a new heating system, new floors, new furnishings for the nave, a change from colonial to stenciled walls and ceiling, and woodwork finished with simulated graining. Stained glass windows made by Fred Reith of Philadelphia were installed.


The German language was primarily used up until 1917 (World War I). The first English Communion service was held on March 17, 1917. From that year on, English gradually supplanted the use of German in this oldest German Lutheran Church in America.

A new phase in the life of the congregation began in 1945. The end of World War II opened the door to many changes. Dr. John J. Kline retired after a long and distinguished pastorate of sixty years (1886-1945).

Rev. Edgar M. Cooper, ordained by the Ministerium of Pennsylvania in October, 1945, began his pastorate on December 1, 1945 serving until 1992. The congregation was served by two pastors for a period of one hundred seven years. Pastor Cooper was the first non-German to serve this historic German congregation. From 1886 to 1992, only Dr. John J. Kline and Rev. Edgar M. Cooper served as Pastor at New Hanover Lutheran Church

The post-war years brought many changes to this rural area. A new parsonage completed in 1948. New homes and a steady increase in population were reflected in congregational growth.

A new Memorial Parish house was completed in 1951. A large annex was added in 1957. Service organizations for every age group were active including the women's Missionary Society, the Men's Brotherhood, the Sunday school, choirs, for all ages, a full Scouting program for boys and girls, Camp Falckner began in 1962 and continues to the present.

The Altar Guild provides immeasurable help in regards to worship, decorating the church, and the care of altar accessories. The Quilters met weekly for many years up until recent years.

2016 InteriorThe Great Swamp Picnic, its origin ancient, but not documented, has been an annual summer event throughout the 20th century. It was the great social event of the year for young and old. It has featured speakers, prominent bands, various musical groups and food from picnic baskets to church venders serving the hundreds of people in attendance.

The church sanctuary was completely transformed again in 1969 to the Greek Revival (colonial) style. Chancel furnishings, pews, walls, and woodwork were painted white; a new period chandelier and rose carpet were installed.

Other changes during the 20th century should be noted as influences upon the congregation. These would include such developments as rural electrification, indoor plumbing, paved highways, the twenty year reign of the trolley car, and the family automobile. The last horse shed at the church was removed in the 1940's.

Cemetery

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Interments include:

  • Fifty Revolutionary War veterans


Pastors

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  • Daniel Falckner 1700 - 1708
  • Andrew Rudman 1702
  • Andrew Sandel 1704
  • Anthony Jacob Hanckel 1717 - 1728
  • Samuel Hasselius 1720 - 1723
  • John Casper Stoever 1728 - 1732
  • John Christian Schultze 1732 - 1733
  • John Casper Stoever, Jr. 1733 - 1735
  • Gabriel Falk 1735 - 1741
  • N. Schmidt 1742
  • Henry M. Muhlenberg 1742 - 1761

His Assistants- 1745 - 1759

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "History of Our Church". New Hanover Evangelical Lutheran Church. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
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