The Salem Story
(The following information is excerpted from the 150th Anniversary of Salem Church, Evangelical and Reformed,
printed 1956 , click here to see The History of Salem and the Area in Pictures)
printed 1956 , click here to see The History of Salem and the Area in Pictures)
The background for the story of Salem Church is one rich in historical recollections. This beautiful area, now known as Pleasant Valley, has a title well bestowed, for it presents a view of surpassing rural loveliness. In the midst of our observation of the beauty of the valley, we want to think of some of the earliest beginnings of the territory.
A number of historic events, though not connected directly with the story of Salem Church, provide this interesting background. These events tell the story of those who struggled against almost insurmountable odds to open new frontiers in search of both personal as well as religious freedom.
A number of historic events, though not connected directly with the story of Salem Church, provide this interesting background. These events tell the story of those who struggled against almost insurmountable odds to open new frontiers in search of both personal as well as religious freedom.
The Salem Story in Outline
1800 - 1956
1800 - Philip Shupp and Richard Peters each give two acres of ground to erect a church.
1806 - Nov. 14, first church, a log building, erected.
1806 - 1809 - Pastorate of Rev. F.W. Van der Sloot
1808 - Sept. 6, dedication of log church. Church named Salem - "The Church of Peace".
1809 - Probable date of first communion.
1809 - 1814 - Pastorate of Rev. Thomas Pomp.
1814 -1834 - Pastorate of Rev. T.L. Hoffeditz
1829 - Beginning of use of English Catechism.
1835 - 1854 -Pastorate of Rev. J.P. Decker
1855 - - 1873 - Pastorate of Rev. Charles Becker
1855 - Union Sunday School organized
1873 - August 16 & 17, dedication services of the second church.
1873 - Sunday School services held in the church.
1874 - 1876 - Pastorate of Rev. Horace Daniels.
1876 - -1883 - Pastorate of Re. Thomas Huber.
1878 - Union Sunday School reorganized into Lutheran and Reformed Sunday School
1881 - Present Sunday School Chapel erected.
1885 - 1936 - Pastorate of Rev. F.W. Smith, D.D.
1886 - Spring, founding of Polytechnic Institute.
1889 - Organization of Kresgeville Reformed Sunday School.
1902 - May 5-8, meeting of East Penna. Classes of Salem Church.
1906 - Nov.10, 11, one hundredth anniversary of Salem Church.
1913 - October 19, celebration of 350th anniversary of the Heidelberg Catechism.
Sermon by Dr. George w. Richards, Professor at Lancaster Theological
Seminary.
1917 - Special service in commemoration of the four hundredth anniversary of the Reformation.
1933 - September 24, fiftieth anniversary of the ministry of Rev. F. W. Smith.
1937 - 1940 - Pastorate of Rev. Wilmer C. Mantz.
1940 - 1949 - Pastorate of Rev. Ray H. Klingaman.
1949 - 1955 - Pastorate of Rev. Alton P. Albright.
1949 - May 23, second church destroyed by fire.
1949 - December 12, congregation voted to construct a new church.
1950 - Groundbreaking services.
1954 - September 26, New church dedicated.
1955 - Pastorate of Rev. G. Robert Booth.
1956 - July 29, congregation votes to renovate Chapel and Polytechnic buildings.
1956 - October 14 - 21, observance of one hundred fiftieth anniversary of Salem Church.
1800 - Philip Shupp and Richard Peters each give two acres of ground to erect a church.
1806 - Nov. 14, first church, a log building, erected.
1806 - 1809 - Pastorate of Rev. F.W. Van der Sloot
1808 - Sept. 6, dedication of log church. Church named Salem - "The Church of Peace".
1809 - Probable date of first communion.
1809 - 1814 - Pastorate of Rev. Thomas Pomp.
1814 -1834 - Pastorate of Rev. T.L. Hoffeditz
1829 - Beginning of use of English Catechism.
1835 - 1854 -Pastorate of Rev. J.P. Decker
1855 - - 1873 - Pastorate of Rev. Charles Becker
1855 - Union Sunday School organized
1873 - August 16 & 17, dedication services of the second church.
1873 - Sunday School services held in the church.
1874 - 1876 - Pastorate of Rev. Horace Daniels.
1876 - -1883 - Pastorate of Re. Thomas Huber.
1878 - Union Sunday School reorganized into Lutheran and Reformed Sunday School
1881 - Present Sunday School Chapel erected.
1885 - 1936 - Pastorate of Rev. F.W. Smith, D.D.
1886 - Spring, founding of Polytechnic Institute.
1889 - Organization of Kresgeville Reformed Sunday School.
1902 - May 5-8, meeting of East Penna. Classes of Salem Church.
1906 - Nov.10, 11, one hundredth anniversary of Salem Church.
1913 - October 19, celebration of 350th anniversary of the Heidelberg Catechism.
Sermon by Dr. George w. Richards, Professor at Lancaster Theological
Seminary.
1917 - Special service in commemoration of the four hundredth anniversary of the Reformation.
1933 - September 24, fiftieth anniversary of the ministry of Rev. F. W. Smith.
1937 - 1940 - Pastorate of Rev. Wilmer C. Mantz.
1940 - 1949 - Pastorate of Rev. Ray H. Klingaman.
1949 - 1955 - Pastorate of Rev. Alton P. Albright.
1949 - May 23, second church destroyed by fire.
1949 - December 12, congregation voted to construct a new church.
1950 - Groundbreaking services.
1954 - September 26, New church dedicated.
1955 - Pastorate of Rev. G. Robert Booth.
1956 - July 29, congregation votes to renovate Chapel and Polytechnic buildings.
1956 - October 14 - 21, observance of one hundred fiftieth anniversary of Salem Church.
FIRST CHURCH
1806
This was a log building and stood on the ground now occupied by the cemetery. The cornerstone was laid November 14, 1806. Rev. F. W. Van der Sloot preached on the text: I Peter 2: 6. The clergy and people moved in procession from the school house, in which they had previously worshipped, to the church. Appropriate addresses were made by Rev. Van der Sloot, Thomas Pomp, Reformed; John Casper Dill and Christian Endress, Lutheran. The names of the building committee were: George Kunkle and John Serfass, Lutheran; Jacob Everett and Philip Kresge, Reformed.
The first communion was administered by Rev. Van der Sloot on May 4, 1809.
Until about 1850, the services were conducted exclusively in German.
The first communion was administered by Rev. Van der Sloot on May 4, 1809.
Until about 1850, the services were conducted exclusively in German.
SECOND CHURCH
1873
After a few preliminary meetings, it was resolved at a congregational meeting on August 3, 1871, to build a new church the following year. The following building committee was appointed: John Snyder and Reuben Gregory, Reformed; Charles Shafer and Charles Shupp, Lutheran.
The cornerstone was laid June 16, 1972. The dedication took place August 16 and 17, 1878,. At a congregational meeting held November 19, 1878, committee composed of Stephen Ziegenfus, George Anglemyer and Rev. A.M. Strauss reported the cost of the new church, together with furnishings and bell at a total of $9,659.17. The edifice was erected to the west of the present cemetery and remained there until it was destroyed by fire May 23, 1949.
The cornerstone was laid June 16, 1972. The dedication took place August 16 and 17, 1878,. At a congregational meeting held November 19, 1878, committee composed of Stephen Ziegenfus, George Anglemyer and Rev. A.M. Strauss reported the cost of the new church, together with furnishings and bell at a total of $9,659.17. The edifice was erected to the west of the present cemetery and remained there until it was destroyed by fire May 23, 1949.
THE PRESENT CHURCH
A bolt of lightening which struck, smoldered and finally burst into ravaging flames on May 23, 1949, completely destroyed the second house of worship. This was a severe shock to the people in that they prized this place which had been in their humble esteem for several generations. But their distress was soon tempered with new hope as the Congregational meeting of December 12, 1949 voiced the unanimous agreement to construct a new church adjacent to the present Chapel and Guild Hall. The Consistory, under the leadership of J. Edwin Gregory appointed necessary committees and proceeded with plans for a new church.
Since the second church was owned and supported jointly by the Reformed and Lutheran congregations it was decided to erect the new church by the Reformed congregation alone. The original four acres of land were divided agreeably by the two congregations, quit claim deeds having been exchanged.
Following the groundbreaking service on June 11, 1950, the construction of the church began. Much of the labor was supplied voluntarily by the men of the congregation. The work of construction indicated a deep devotion to the Lord and His work on the part of those members who worked so faithfully and those who gave their financial support. A debt of gratitude can also be expressed to many folks outside of the fellowship of Salem Church who contributed toward bringing this beautiful edifice to completion.
The new Salem Evangelical and Reformed Church was formally dedicated on Sunday, September 26, 1954. Rev. Alton P. Albright, under whose leadership the visions of a beautiful church were realized, was in charge of the service of dedication. He was assisted by Re. James R. Laubach, Pastor of the Pleasant Valley Lutheran Parish. The sermon was preached by the Rev. David Dunn, D.D., Dean of the Theological Seminary of Lancaster. Greetings from East Pennsylvania Synod were brought by the Rev. Frank W. Teske, D.D., President.
At the time of this writing, Salem is formulating plans to develop the present Church School Building and the Guild Hall for expanded services in behalf of the Church and Commuity. This congregation continues to face the future with high hopes of one victory after another toward the advancement of the cause of Christ in this area.
The Polytechnic Institute
Among the outstanding rural pastorates in America is that of Rev. Frank W. Smith. Rev. Smith was installed as a pastor of the Pleasant Valley Parish November 10, 1885 and continued until his retirement on September 26, 1936, a ministry of fifty- one years.
Among the notable achievements of this remarkable pastor was the establishment of the Polytechnic Institute. This was an institution of higher learning prior to the days of consolidated public schools. Many of the leading citizens of this area had their training in this school. Before ending its thirty-six years of usefulness in 1922, more than 1700 students had been enrolled in its classes, resulting in an outpour of useful citizens. Teachers were trained for the public schools, other students entered colleges and universities to further prepare for medicine, law, education and the ministry. A total of 125 left Polytechnic to enter higher institutions of learning: ten entered the ministry.
The Institution was founded in the Spring of 1886. For several years its home was in the Reformed Church School Chapel. In 1895 the building known now as the Guild Hall, was constructed as the Polytechnic building. In 1897 an annex of two rooms was added. Because of the expansion of the Public School program in this area, an institution of this type was no longer needed. Polytechnic was closed in 1922.
In 1954 the Polytechnic alumni organization was formed. This group now consists of about 250 men and women who have either attended or graduated from Polytechnic. This organization assembles each summer to keep alive the spirit of Polytechnic.
Among the notable achievements of this remarkable pastor was the establishment of the Polytechnic Institute. This was an institution of higher learning prior to the days of consolidated public schools. Many of the leading citizens of this area had their training in this school. Before ending its thirty-six years of usefulness in 1922, more than 1700 students had been enrolled in its classes, resulting in an outpour of useful citizens. Teachers were trained for the public schools, other students entered colleges and universities to further prepare for medicine, law, education and the ministry. A total of 125 left Polytechnic to enter higher institutions of learning: ten entered the ministry.
The Institution was founded in the Spring of 1886. For several years its home was in the Reformed Church School Chapel. In 1895 the building known now as the Guild Hall, was constructed as the Polytechnic building. In 1897 an annex of two rooms was added. Because of the expansion of the Public School program in this area, an institution of this type was no longer needed. Polytechnic was closed in 1922.
In 1954 the Polytechnic alumni organization was formed. This group now consists of about 250 men and women who have either attended or graduated from Polytechnic. This organization assembles each summer to keep alive the spirit of Polytechnic.