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Tenth Anniversary of the Dedication of the April 15th-22d, 1917. In this year of the Quadri-Centennial celebration St. Matthew's can celebrate the Thirtieth Anniversary of the laying of the corner-stone of its building and the Tenth Anniversary of the dedication of its present Chapel. In connection with these Anniversaries it is fitting that a brief sketch of the history of our church buildings be presented. The following summary of facts is based oil the records of the church and the historical presentation in the St. Matthew's Tidings for June and July, 1908. The first church building on Carlisle Avenue was dedicated on Dec. 26, 1888. It was a substantial brick structure, 40 x 70 feet in dimensions, and divided by sliding doors into two apartments. Three hundred chairs afforded ample seating accommodation. The cost of the new church building was $4,450. It was here that the congregation, under the splendid leadership of the sainted Dr. Alleman, laid permanent foundations for the larger growth of after years. The rapid growth off the Sunday School rendered it necessary to provide larger quarters; and an extension to the church building was decided on May 28, 1889. It was 58 feet by 38 feet in size and had a seating capacity of two-thirds of the old edifice. Other improvements were also made, and the total cost, about $2,000, was provided by the Sunday School. The wisdom of the enlarged building was attested by the splendid growth of the congregation during Rev. Glanding's pastorate. During the winter of 1902-03 a vestry room, choir loft and a large pulpit recess were built in the west end of the church building, and a. new carpet and additional chairs were purchased. At a financial rally, held Sept. 20, 1903, a few months after Rev. Robt. D. Clare assumed charge of the congregation, the entire debt of $2,157.32 was liquidated, and, for the first time in its history, the church was free from debt. The continuing growth of the church, however, demanded more room; and on April 23, 1904, the congregation took steps toward the erection of a larger building. The following Building and Site Committee was appointed : James L. Menough, Geo. W. Gross, John B. Hamme, M. L. Strayer, C. P. Shreiner, Geo. H. Ginter, Eli Z. Zinn, C. G. Shenberger, J. W. D. Gulden, H. L. Strayer, A. H. Allison, P. A. Elsesser, H. S. Thomas, A. R. Miller, L. S. Shauck, and C. S. Reaser. On July 19, 1905, this committee was authorized to purchase a part of the present property on West Market Street with 140 feet front at a cost of $8,450. Later, the 60 foot lot adjoining it on the west was purchased for $4,200; and Mr. Israel K. Ziegler donated the church the 20 foot lot at the rear of the church property fronting on Clayton Avenue. On Sept. 3, 1905, the congregation authorized the committee to erect a suitable Sunday School chapel. Mr. John B. Hamme was selected as architect and Mr. James L. Menough was the builder. On March 11, 1906, the formal ground breaking took place and July 8, 1906, the cornerstone was laid. In the same year the old parsonage was sold and a new one erected on the present location. About the same time the church property on Carlisle Avenue was sold to the Roman Catholics for $5,500. On February 3, 1907, the formal dedication of the new sanctuary occurred. Rev. T. T. Everett, D. D., president of the Synod, preached the dedicatory sermon, and a series of post-dedication services was held during the following week. The cost of the edifice and the ground upon which it was built was almost $40,000. The marvelous growth of the church through these ten years demonstrates the far-sighted wisdom of the congregation under the leadership of Rev. Clare, in the erection of this chapel. In the summer of 1907 the reception room in the church basement and the, church kitchen were fitted up at a cost of $1,050. In February, 1908, one of the class rooms was enlarged to accommodate the increasing attendance. The cost, $583, was met by the Sunday School. Throughout the pastorate of Rev. Harms further progress was made in reducing the debt through the annual cash rally on Easter and by one special effort in the year 1912. Early in 1916 it was decided to plan for the Tenth Anniversary of the chapel's dedication in a week following Easter, 1917, when the former pastors could return. The goal of entire freedom from indebtedness was set; and pledges for the year were taken. A total of $7012.61 was paid, canceling every cent of debt upon the congregation. The enthusiasm of the congregation led to plans for a complete renovation of the chapel, the work being done by M. S. Gruver & Co., the cost of which, amounting to approximately $1,000, has been paid by the Sunday School, Mr. P. A. Elsesser, Supt., and by two friends of the congregation, who provided for the basement renovation. A splendid new carpet was presented by the Ladies' Aid Society; and a baptismal font was given the congregation by the Mother's Class of the Sunday School. Re-dedication services were held on Sunday, Feb. 18, 1917. It is impossible to give proper recognition due to all who have had a part in this consummation of the hopes of the past years. The earnest efforts of the Church Council, consisting of Messrs. Wm. H. Brenneman, R. K. Stallsmith, Geo. J. Schlaanstine, Jacob Dome, Geo. A. Swartz, H. Luke Owen, D. G. Snydeman, Owen Sheffer, E. M. Grass and O. T. This summary of the development of the church does not tell the story of the spiritual growth of St. Matthew's. In the ten years since the dedication of the Chapel nine hundred and ninety-five (995) new members have been added to the church membership. $19,156.00 has been contributed to the benevolences of the church. And five (5) young men have become students for the ministry: Rev. Wilbur Allison pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church, Mercersburg, Pa.; Rev. John Gruver, pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church, New York City; Wm. C. Sunday, student at the Gettysburg Theological Seminary, Earl Smeich and Earl Morrison, students in Gettysburg College. May the future years lead our people into a much larger sphere of service because of these gracious blessings of God, in the past. The Pastors (The following record is based on that compiled for the twenty-fifth anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone.) Dr. M. J. Alleman was formally elected pastor of St. Matthew's on Sunday, June 2, 1889. It was during Dr. Alleman's pastorate that the original building was erected on the corner of Carlisle Avenue and Clarke Alley. Dr. Alleman served the congregation faithfully for eight years and six months. The accessions during this pastorate were not numerous; but deep, firm, abiding foundations were laid. On December 9, 1897, Dr. Alleman heard the Master's call and went Home to receive the reward of his labors. The records show that at the close of Dr. Alleman's ministry in St. Matthew's there were seventy-eight members in the church and 120 members in the Sunday School. Rev. Wm. M. B. Glanding was called to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Dr. Alleman. At the time of his election to St. Matthew's, Rev. Glanding was the much loved pastor of the English Lutheran Church of Ashland, Pa. It was by no means a pleasant experience for him to sever pastoral relations with his devoted people but the love of Christ constrained him and on January 22, 1898, Rev. Glanding accepted a unanimous call to become the pastor of St. Matthew's. The entrance of Rev. Glanding upon the work in this pastorate was the beginning of a rapid growth, which has since attended the work in this promising field. During his pastorate of four years and seven months, 307 persons were received into church membership. Many substantial improvements were made and many promising organizations were effected. Rev. Glanding resigned as pastor of St. Matthew's August 3, 1902, and accepted a call to the First Lutheran Church, Syracuse, N. Y. The congregation at this time numbered 293 members and the Sunday School 532 members. The congregation was again without a leader. There is no time in the history of a congregation when the people are put to a severer test than when they have no pastor. There is always a feeling of anxiety until. a decision is reached and a pastor called. Such was the condition in this congregation after the resignation of Rev. Glanding. It was a serious time in this congregation's career. The future of the work in this community depended upon the selecting of an efficient pastor, but God was good to our people. He heard their prayers. Those of us who are familiar with the history of this congregation believe that it was none other than the hand of God that directed this congregation in the selection of Rev. Robert D. Clare as pastor. Rev. Clare, at the time of his election, November 9, 1902, was a student in the Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, Pa. He accepted a unanimous call and on June 7, 1903, he came upon the field. Under the energetic leadership of Rev. Clare the congregation grew and prospered as never before. He seemed to possess just those qualities of mind and heart that fitted him for this particular field. It was during this pastorate that the congregation became so large that it was found necessary to erect the present House of Worship. Six hundred and fifty-five persons were received into the congregation during Rev. Clare's pastorate and more than Boo into the Sunday School. At the time of his resignation, February 19, 1911, the congregation numbered 640 members, and the Sunday School 1,279 members. The fourth pastor, Rev. J. Edward Harms, was unanimously elected at the congregational meeting held on Sunday, May 7, 1911. He was at that time pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church at Mercersburg, Pa. He was contentedly at work among a loyal and loving people but he felt constrained to undertake a larger work. Accordingly he accepted the call and on Sunday, June 11, 1911, he and his wife took up the work in the new field trusting in God to prosper the work of their hands. In this pastorate of three years 304 members were received into communicant membership with the church and the congregation gave a hearty response to the inspiration of his uplifting ministrations. Rev. Harms completed his work as pastor of St. Matthew's, June 30, 1914, to accept a call to the First Lutheran Church, Dayton, Ohio. The present pastor, Rev. M. R. Hamsher, who was then in charge of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Etna, Pa., was extended a call at the congregational meeting held on July 5, 1914. Impelled by the larger opportunity, he relinquished his work in the Pittsburgh Synod, where he enjoyed the first six years of his ministry, and came on the field with his family, Source: Booklet prepared for the Tenth Anniversary of the Dedication of the Chapel St Matthew's Lutheran Church York, Pennsylvania,
April 15th-22d, 1917.
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