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Church Bulletin from Zion's
100th Anniversary (Adobe Reader file)
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Historical Facts about Zion Congregation
Lutherans in Bedford County were German immigrants, served by a circuit-riding pastor, John Christian William Yeager, who had been born in Breslau, Prussia, in 1783. From 1828 to 1838, “Father” Yeager, as he was affectionately known, was the only resident Lutheran clergyman in Bedford County. By 1841, Allegheny Synod was sending students to the area to preach in English as Father Yeager was not very fluent in his adopted language.
English speaking Lutherans in the Clearville area began to assemble for worship around 1889, gathering in a grove in Clearville where the Union church now stands. By 1896, they realized their need for a building in which to worship. The land considered for the site was owned by Baltzer and Elizabeth (Pee) Snyder. Mr. Snyder, always greatly interested in the affairs of the Lutheran Church, suggested building the church between the old cemetery at the top of the hill and the Fletcher School No. 10 located at the foot of the hill. According to the records of the old Allegheny Synod, Zion Lutheran congregation of Chapman’s Run was formally organized on 3 February 1899 by the Rev. G. W. Slifer, with twelve charter members, and admitted to synod the following October.
Zion Lutheran Church was dedicated, free of debt, on 23 September 1900. Pastor Slifer was in charge; the guest preacher was the Rev. M. L. Culler of Bedford; other participating clergy were J.M. Stover of Rainsburg and G.G.M. Brown of Everett.
Quoting from Allegheny Synod’s historical records: “The church is 48’ by 36’, a frame structure, beautifully located. The windows are of stained glass, four of them memorial. The interior woodwork, pulpit, and pews are in imitation of walnut. This neat and attractive house seats 300 people, and cost but $1,000.00.” The church stood unchanged for nearly half a century. Sometime after World War II, the old Fletcher schoolhouse was removed from the property to a location about one mile south, on the road to Chaneysville. In the early 1970’s the floor was carpeted and new cushioned pews were installed. In 1978 extensive interior and exterior renovations were undertaken: the walls were painted, a modern drop ceiling with recessed lighting was placed on top of the old pressed tin ceiling, and vinyl siding and a new roof were put on. The Zion Council commissioned Jane Gayman, a Bedford artist and member of the Yeager congregation, to do a painting for the reredos. In 1980, this original interpretation of the Risen Christ, was dedicated. Improvements have been made to the heating system and the church interior has been repainted just within the past year.
The first record of property transfer was made 29 August 1900. This indenture was made with Baltzer and Elizabeth Snyder, party of the first part; and James W. Steckman, J.M. Barkman, D.F. Miller, and Henry Mills, party of the second part. The land was given for both church building and burial purposes. The deed was signed, sealed, and delivered in the presence of F.P. Ward, Justice of the Peace, and John Von Stein, dated 21 September 1900, recorded at Bedford County Courthouse on 21 December 1900.
Pastor Slifer remained at Zion from 1 September 1898 to 6 September 1903. He was a graduate of Gettysburg Seminary in 1884. He had a large family; one of his grand-daughters married William H. Snyder who also served as Pastor at Zion, from September 1948 to October 1952.
Early records of congregational activity are lost to us. Some information has been gathered from recollections of older members and friends, now deceased. The Rev. Ernest Luther Pee was the nephew of Elizabeth Snyder (Mrs. Baltzer Snyder). He recalled visiting in the home of his Uncle Baltzer and Aunt Elizabeth and hearing that when his Uncle Baltzer decided to organize a building committee for the construction of Zion Church, he found many friends who volunteered their labor.
Mrs. Allie Weimer Miller, the longest-lived member of Zion congregation, lived within sight of the construction site. She told of seeing neighbors hauling cornerstones for the foundation of the building in horse-drawn wagons. Her husband, Francis, was the son of David F. and Mary Miller, whose family donated most of the lumber for the church. Two stained glass windows still in the church are memorials to their contributions. Allie Weimer Miller was born 14 August 1882 and passed into life 6 March 1987 – a span of 104 years, 6 months and 22 days! Her life was closely entwined with that of Zion congregation; Pastor Slifer performed her marriage to Francis Miller in 1902; Pastor Sammel conducted funeral services for her in Zion Church 1987. She raised her family of six daughters and four sons, all of whom were Baptized in Zion church, on that adjacent farm. Today, her three remaining children are still members (Milton Miller, Reid Miller, and Grace Von Stein); and two grandchildren (Clara Edith Clingerman and Wilda Mallow) and their families are also active in the life of Zion congregation.
The earliest recorded church members were: Mrs. Leonard Smith and Mrs. Charles Smouse, received 23 September 1900; and Mr. Murray Bennett, Mrs. Charles Fletcher, Mrs. David Furlough, and Mr. Charles Fletcher, received 17 November 1901. Other early members were: Francis and Allie (Weimer) Miller, received in August 1905; Jennie Fletcher, Robert James Fletcher, and Mrs. Henry Conner (nee Amanda Fletcher), received in 1909.
A new deed, made to correct errors in the first one, was recorded at the Bedford County courthouse in June 1912. Church council members signing this deed were J.M. Barkman, Francis Miller, Charles Fletcher and Murray Bennett.
In August, 1948, the Zion Cemetery Association met before Justice of the Peace Gilbert Nycum to draw up a deed for the Association. Representing Zion Church were: Francis Miller, Harry P. Chamberlain, Harry P. Chamberlain, Jr.; Charles Barkman, Floyd Miller, and Milton Miller. This deed was recorded 24 September 1948.
The faith and conviction of strong laymen and women kept Zion congregation active through some lean years in this past century. The Rev. Cr. J. Paul Harman served Zion from 1966 to 1971 and was instrumental in reorganizing and rejuvenating the congregation. During his pastorate, the Constitution and by-Laws were written and adopted; regular council meetings were being held once again.
On 22 July 1973, Zion congregation requested a meeting with Yeager Memorial congregation of Rainsburg. The stated purpose was: “The desire of Zion Lutheran Church, Clearville, Pennsylvania, to purchase pastoral services of the Rev. John F. Sammel from Yeager Memorial Lutheran Church, Friend’s Cove, Rainsburg, Pennsylvania.” The Rev. Richard Rutter, Everett, Dean of the Bedford District, presided. Signing the agreement were these members of Zion’s council: Dale Barkman, Milton Miller, Helen Roland, Ura Brown, Marjorie Von Stein, and Wilda Von Stein Mallow. Signers from Yeager’s Council were: William Pennel, Gerald Schaeffer, and James S. Cessna.
From this evolved the formation of the Friend’s Cove-Clearville Lutheran Parish on 1 January 1979. Pastor John F. (Jack) Sammel served this parish until his death in May, 2000. The parish is currently served by Jenny Barnes, synodically-authorized minister, who is in the process of completing seminary, leading to ordination.
Church Bulletin from Zion's 100th Anniversary (Adobe Reader file)