The Himmel Church, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania

The Himmel Church, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania Marion F. Egge* H IMMEL CHURCH, translated, means the “Heaven Church.” As far as we know, there is only one Himmel Church and that one is located in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. The history of the area, as well as the history of this uniquely-named church, begins soon after the northwestward migration of Pennsylvania immigrant families out of Philadelphia, Chester, and Bucks counties. A 1749 treaty with the Iroquois, Delaware, and Shawnee Indians “ex¬ tended the fronder to the first mountain north of the mouth of Mahonoy creek, from thence by a straight line to the Delaware river. Thus Line mountain . . . became the northern boundary of the Province of Pennsylvania and remained so until . . . 1768.”“ Northumberland Coun¬ ty boundaries, as known today, were created 21 March 1772 from parts of Lancaster, Cumberland, Berks, Bedford, and Northampton counties. The majority of early German pioneers who settled to the south of Line mountain represented two groups of people: those who immigrated to America between 1749 and 1768 . . . and those young men, desirous of establishing homes of their — John H. Carter, The Himmel Church,” presented before the Northumberland County Historical Society, 15 October 1955; published by the Northumberland County Historical Society journal (n.p., 1935[?]), 55; hereafter cited as “Himmel Church.” 2 “Himmel Church,” 39. *Editor's note: Marion F. Egge has served as editor of the Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine since 1993. 346 The Himmel Church 347 own, whose parents or grandparents had settled south of the Blue mountain at an earlier date . . . whose fore bearers had migrated from the Schohairie, in the Province of New York, to the Tulpehocken region in 1723. In 1773 residents of the area implemented plans for a school and a church. They procured a grant of land from the Province of Pennsylva¬ nia and, in 1774, built both a log school house and a.log church. Carl Heinrich Kauffman, the first school teacher, was probably the Carl Heinrich Kauffman who arrived in Philadelphia from Rotterdam 30 September 1754 on the ship Brothers,William Muir, captain. In 1774 the first recorded baptisms took place in the new church, when “a total of nine children [were] baptized, on five separate occa¬ sions.” And “just four days before the signing of the Declaration of Independence,” the first recorded communion for 64 communicants was held. Rev. John Michael Enderline/ Enterline, who served this congrega¬ tion from 1773 to 1787, conducted the first sacraments of baptism and communion. It was this dedicated Lutheran pastor who began the pro¬ tocol of Himmel Church though the church was not known by that name until much later. Nicolas Brosius and Peter Ferster were the first Lutheran deacons; Daniel Kobel and George Heim served as elders. “On the 22nd of September, 1781, a resolution was placed on record stating that ‘the Evangelical Lutheran and Reformed congregations shall have equal right and privileges to land, church, school house, and so continue to have/”' The surviving records of the Himmel Church protocol provides “at least one list of communicants [recorded] from 1776 until 1788.”8 Rev. O' Christopher Getz succeeded Rev. Enderline/Enterline, in 1790 but no known records were kept again until the arrival of the Rev. Christian — s “Himmel Church," 43. “Himmel Church,” 44; Ralph Beaver Strassburger and William John Hinke, Pennsyl¬ vania German Pioneers, 3 vols. (Birdsboro, Pa.: Pennsylvania German Society, 1934); reprinted (Camden, Maine: Picton Press (1992), List 219A, 1:609. Carl Heinrich Kauiman signed the Oath of Allegiance as Carel Hena Kaufman. 5 “Himmel Church;” 45. 6 “Himmel Church,” 49. 7 “Himmel Church," 49. 8« Himmel Church,” 51. 9 “Himmel Church," 49. 348 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Espich in 1795, Although Rev. Espich helped to increase membership in the Himmel Church, he was relieved of his duties when "he left an odius record because of immorality of life. His specific acts of "im¬ morality” are not detailed in the record consulted for this brief history, but in 1798 the Lutheran Ministerium at Lebanon wrote a letter con¬ demning the "lamentable depravity of Rev. Espich and requesting to have their district supplied with another preacher who has the salvation of immortal souls at heart.”11 Rev. Espich’s successor is not conclusively known but, in his 1935 presentation, John H. Carter claims to have “discovered that Heinrich Moeller seryed the Himmel congregation in 1798 . , , [and probably] until 1802.»12 Successors in the Himmel Church pastorate1ÿ were: Rev. J. P. F. Kramer (1803-1805); Rev.J. Conrad Walter (1805-1809), whose service was cut short by an early death at age 43; Rev, Daniel Ulrich (1809-1811); and Rev. John Nicolas Hemping (1812-1847). “It was during the incumbency of Rev. Hemping that the old log church was supplanted by a new stone edifice.”14 Church members named to the building committee included Michael Reitz, Michael Rebuck, and 5 Reitz, Leonard among others. In the spring of 1818, a cornerstone for the new church was laid on land that had been deeded by the Commissioners of Northumberland County to Andrew Reitz in 1810 “for the use of the Lutheran and Calvinest [$tc] Congregsions of Mo* »16 hanoy twp., and for no other use or purpose whatsoever. The completed church, seating 400 persons, was “built in the old Pennsylvania style, with a one-story main room and gallery, [and] an old-fashioned pigeon-box pulpit, . . , ' 10 “Himmel Church,” 52. 11 “Himmel Church,” 52. 12 “Himmel Church,” 52. 13 “Himmel Church,” 53, 55. 14 “Himmel Church,” 55. 15 “Himmel Church,” 56. “Himmel Church,” 50. Andrew Reitz deeded to the Himmel Church and others land in 1827 which the Commissioners of Nortumberland [stc] county deeded to him as trustee for the Lutheran and Calvinist congregations in 1810” (“Himmel Church,” 51). The 1810 deed from the Pennsylvania Land Office to Reitz is recorded in Patent Book. H, 3:244; the 1827 deed from Reitz to the church is recorded in Northumberland County Deed Book W:238. 17 “Himmel Church,” 56. 349 The Himmel Church The new church had been named almost a year earlier, in June 1817 by Rev. Hemping, who said ... at a meeting in the school house for the purpose of decid¬ ing whether to repair the old church or build a new one, “These worthy men of both congregations being of one mind, agreed upon the following plan: to build a new church material used to be stone upon a lofty place about twenty rods from the old church.” It was further resolved “to build a union church for use of both Lutheran and Reformed members, and that it shall 18 p forever remain so in this new erected Himmel Church.” The protocol of the Hummel Church, “believed to be the oldest church record extant in Pennsylvania north of the Blue Mountain,»19 is reproduced below.* Editorial annotations are enclosed in brackets “ [ ] Question marks “ (?)” are not editorial additions; all of these marks appear in the church record transcript. It is quite possible perhaps probable that certain items are marked questionable because the eighteenth-century handwriting was not completely legible. — — 1 — — First Page of Baptismal Records 1774 1. Henry Kobel 8c wife Catharina, son Johannes, b. 16 Sept. (?) [1773?] , bp. 7 June [1774]; no sponsors given. 2. Hen. Kobel, wife Cath., dau. Maria, b, 28 May 1759 [lie]; bp. 7 June [1774]; no sponsors given. 3. Joh. Nicolaus Hethrich, Anna Catharine, sonjoh. Peter; b. 9June [1774] , bp. 3July [1774]; sponsors: Peter Schmidt, wife Elisabeth 4. Casp. Kobel, wife An. Mar., dau. An. Christina, b. 17 July [1774], bp. 4 Aug. [1774]; sponsors: G. Henry Reitz, wife An. Martha. k 18«Himmel Church, 19 55. “Himmel Church,” 44. * Editor’s Note: These records have been edited for consistency only. The original printed lists (up to the fourteenth page) were published in columns; information for several records suffers from obvious column data misplacement that was not caught in proofreading. These have been “corrected” to the best of the editor’s judgment. Researchers are encouraged to consult the original article as published by the Northumberland County Historical Society or, preferably, the original records of Himmel Church. 350 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine 5. Johannes Phillips (?) wife Magd., dau. Magdalena, b. 27July [1774], bp. 4 Aug. [1774]; sponsors: Wilh. Forster, wife Magdalena. 6. Pet. Schmidt, Elisabeth, son Joh. Jacob, b. 1 Sept. [1774], bp. 8 Sept. [1774]; sponsors:Joh. Nicolaus Hethrich 8c wife. 7. Hen. Baumgartner, wife Mar. Marg., dau. An. Barbara, b. 7 Oct. [1774], bp. 4 Nov. (?) [1774]; sponsors: Christoph Hethrich, wife An. Barbara. 8. Valentine Rebock, Barbara, sonJoh. Peter, b. 21 Sept. [1774], bp. 4 Nov. (?) [1774]; sponsor: Heinrich Reitz, single. 9. Dan. Robel, Mar. Barbara, dau. Maria Elisabeth, b. 9 Sept. [1774], bp, 4 Nov. (?) [1774]; sponsors: May. Hase, Elisabeth. Second Page of Baptismal Records 1775 10. Pet. Furster 8c wife Elisabeth, dau. Maria Elis., b. 21 Jan. [1775], bp. 7 May [1775]; sponsor: G. Reitz. 11. George Heim & Wife Rosina, son Joh. Wilhelm, b. 27 Feb. [1775], bp. 7 May [1775]; sponsors: Wilh. Forster & wife Magd. 12. Johannes Ried 8c wife Mar, Dor., son George Henry, b. 7 Apr. [1775] , bp. 7 May [1775]; sponsors: George Reitz & wife An. Martha. 13. Johannes Ried & wife Mar. Dor., son Joh. Peter, b. 7 Apr. [1775], bp. 7 May [1775]; sponsors: Pet. Schmidt & wife Elisabeth. 14. Wilh. Thomson & wife, dau. Hanna, b. 19 May [1775], bp. 9June [1775]; sponsors: Nic. Prosius 8c wife Barbara. 15. Pet. Schmidt 8c wife An. Maria, a son Johannes, b. 5 Mar. [1775] , bp.June 9; sponsors: Joh. Hartter 8c Elys. Klingerin, single. 16. Johannes Fisher (?) & wife Cath., dau. Mar. Elisabeth, b. 21 Feb. [1775], bp. 7 May [1775]; sponsor:Joh. Schafer. 17. Lud. (?) Schreyer (?) 8c wife Hanna, son Joh. Adam, b. 25June [1775], bp., 13July [1775]; sponsors:Joh. Ad. Schafer 8c Maria Marg. Prosiusin, single. 18. Hen. Robel 8c wife Catharina, dau. Elisabetha, b. 30 July [1775], bp. 20 Aug. [1775]; no sponsors given. 19. Jac. Minjam & wife An. Maria, dau. Susanna Sophia, b. 19 Oct [1775], bp. 5 Nov, [1775] ; sponsors: Carl Henry Kaufman & wife Sus. Sophia. 20. Jac. Ochsenreiter 8c wife Barbara, son Joh. Jacob, b. 5 Oct [1775], bp. 5 Nov. [1775]; sponsors: Hen. Baumgartner & wife An. Marg. 351 The Himmel Church 21. Christoph Heiderich & wife An. Barb., dau. Mar. Barbara, b. 29 Sept. [?] , bp. 5 Nov. [1775]; sponsors: Hen. Baumgartner 8c wife An. Mar. 22. Nicol. Hetherich 8c wife An. Cath., dau. Maria Elisabeth, b. 23 Aug. (?) [1775], bp. 5 Nov. [1775]; sponsors: Maria Elisabeth Prosius, single. 23. Wilh. Forster 8c wife Magd., dau. An. Maria, b. 30 Sept [1775], bp. 5 Nov. [1775]; sponsors: Nic. Prosius & Dorothea. 24. Hen. Kohler & wife Elisabeth, son Joh. Georg, b. 22 Sept. [1775], bp. 5 Nov. [1775]; sponsors: G. Hen. Kaufman and Maria Reitzen, single. Third Page of Baptismal Records 1776 25, Phil. Kunselman (?) 8c wife Barbara, son Johannes, b. 11 Oct. 1775, bp. 31 May [1776]; sponsors:Johannes Kohlman 8c wife. 26. George Furster 8c wife Agnes, dau. Catherine Elisabeth, b. 23 Aug. (?) [1776], bp. 31 May [1776] ; sponsors: Peter Furster 8c wife Elisabeth. 27. Illegitimate child. Johannes Fisher, married, with Maria Groninger, single; son Johann Henrich, b. 20 Feb. [1776], bp. 31 May [1776]; sponsors:Joh. Hen. Groninger with Susanna Kump (?) single. 28. Johannes Buhl (?) [no mother named], dau. Maria Elisabeth, b. 10 Apr. [1776], bp. 1 Aug. [1776]; sponsors: Pet. Furst & wife Mar. Elisabeth. 29. Johannes Miller 8c wife An. Mar., son Joh. Georg, b. 27June [1776], bp. 1 Aug. [1776]; sponsors: Georg Heym & wife Margar. 30. Mart Burgart (?) & wife Elys., son Emanuel, b. 1 July [1776]; bp, 1 Aug. [1776]; sponsors: Esaia Althaus (?) & wife Barbara. 31. Dan. Kobel 8c wife M. Barbara, son Joh. Nicolaus, b. 13July [1776], bp. 1 Aug. [1776]; sponsors: Nic. Brosius & wife Barbara. 32. Joh. Hen, Schneider 8c wife M. Cath., son Johannes, b. 29 June [1776], bp. 1 Aug. [1776]; sponsors:Johannes Ried 8c wife M. Dor. 33. Pet. Troutman 8c wife Elis., dau. Eve Elisabeth, b. 15 Feb. [1776], bp. 17 Sept. [1776] ; sponsors: Phil. Klinger & wife Eve Elis. 34. Johannes Fisher & wife Catharina, sonJohannes, 25th [month not given] [1776?]; bp. 31 Oct. [1776]; sponsors:John Kumpf (?) &: wife Cath. Elisa. 35. Georg Heim 8c wife Rosina, son Johann Georg, b. 11 Dec. 1776; bp. Apr. [day not given] 1777; sponsors; Georg Henrich Kaufman 8c Elis. Koblin, single. 36. Phil. Lefler 8c wife Cath., dau. Susanna Maria, b. 30 Dec. 1776, bp. 20 * B a Apr. [1777]. r . » 352 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Fourth Page of Baptismal Records 1777 ■ h 37. Martin Haupt (?) & wife Catharina, dau, Maria Catharina, b. 25 Nov. (?) [1777], bp. 20 Apr. [1777], sponsors: Johannes Harter & wife. 38. Esaias Althaus (?) 8c wife Cath. Barb., son Daniel, b. [day not given] Dec. 1777 [sic], bp. 20 Apr. [1777]; sponsors: Nicolaus Prosius & Elisabeth Schaffer, single. 39. Johannes Phillips 8c wife Magd., dau. Elisabeth, b. 13 Mar. [1777], bp. 20 Apr, [1777]; sponsors: Andr. Rothobach (?) & wife. 40. Peter Furster 8c wife M. Elis., son Georg, b. 24 Mar. [1777], bp. 20 Apr. [1777]; sponsors: George Furster 8c wife Agnes. , dau. Maria 41. Illegitimate child. Dan Mijmn (?) Miniam & R. Barbara, [birth date not given], bp. 20 Apr. [1777]; sponsors: Fr. Pfeif¬ fer (?). 42. Pet. Albert & wife Regina, dau. Philippina, b. 13 Mar.[1777], bp. 9 May [1777]; sponsors: Johannes Harter 8c Margareth Schafer (?). 43. Christ. Duncolberger & wife Elisabeth Soloma, dau. Maria Marg., b. 12 Feb. [1777], bp. 9 May [1777]; sponsors: Pet. Furster & wife Mar. Elis. 44. William Thomson & wife Rosana (?), son Heiry (?) (Henry?), b. 19 Apr. [1777], bp. 9 May [1777]; sponsors: Nic. Prosius 8c wife Barb. 45. Heinrich Kohler & wife Elisabeth, son Johannes Philipp, b. 31 Dec. 1776, bp, 9 May [1777] ; sponsors: Johannes Pfeiffer (?) & wife M. Bar. 46. Casper Kobel 8c wife Cath., son Johann Friderich, b. 7 July [1777], bp. 5 Aug. [1777]; sponsors: Casp. Ried 8c An. Elisabeth. 47. Johannes Ried 8c wife M. Doroth., son Philipp, b. 11 June [1777], bp. 5 Aug. [1777]; sponsors: Phil. Klinger 8c wife Eva Elis. 48. Joh. Georg Furst 8c wife Agnes, dau. Maria Magdalena, b, 13 Sept. [1777] , bp. 12 Oct. [1777]; sponsors: G. Pfeiffer (?), M. Magd. Schneider, single. Pages five to ten of Baptismal Records are missing. (Latter part of 1777 to latter part of 1779.) 353 The Himmel Church Eleventh Page of Baptismal Records 1779__1 780—1781 49. Casp. Kobel & Catharine, son Joseph, b. 21 Oct. [year not given], bp. 3 Nov. [year not given]; sponsors: Peter Schm(idt?) 8c wife Elisabeth 50. Joh. Philips 8c wife Magdalena, sonJoh.Jacob, b. 13 Nov. [year not given] , bp. 5 Dec. [year not given]; [no sponsors given]. 51. Joh. Bingaman, wife Anna, dau. Anna Cathrina, b. 23 Nov. [year not given], bp. 5 Dec. [year not given]; [no sponsors given]. ANNO. 1780 52. Joh. Georg Brosius, wife Mar. Catharina, dau. Maria Catharina, b. 20 Sept, 1779, bp. [no day given] Apr. 1780; sponsors: Joh. Nic. Brosius 8c wife Barbara. 53. Joh. Nicol. Brosius 8c wife Maria, son Johan Nicol., b. 30 Apr. [1780], bp. 21 May [1780]; sponsor: Nicol. Brosius. 54. Heinri. Kohler, wife Elisabeth, son Anton., b. 24 Oct. 1779, bp. 21 May [1780]; sponsor: Heinr. Minjam. 55.Jac. Ochsenreiter, wife Barbara, son Joh. Nicolas, b. 2 Oct. [1780], bp. 21 May [1780]; sponsor: Joh. G. (?) Schafer. 56. William Forst, wife Magdalena, son Andreas, b. 19 May [1780]; bp. 21 May [1780]; sponsor: Andreas Daniel. 57. Mart. Zartman, wife Susanna, dau. Elisabeth, b. 27 Apr. [1780]; bp. 4 Mar. Anno. 1781; sponsors: Hend. Zartman, wife Elisabeth. 58. Peter Schmid, wife Elisabeth, son Andreas, b. 8 Mar, [1780]; bp. 11 Mar. [1780]; sponsors: Andr. Reids (Reitz?), wife Marg. 59. Peter Schmid, wife Elisabeth, dau. Maria Elisab., b. 8 Mar. [1780] ; bp. 11 Mar. [1780]; sponsors: Peter Forster, wife Mar. Elisab. 60. Henr. Reitz, wife Elanora, son Georg. Lenhart, b. 30 Aug. [1780] , bp. 23 Sept. [1780]; sponsors: Peter Schmidt 8c wife. 61. Henr. Groninger, wife Maria, dau. Anna Maria, b. 1 Oct [1780], bp. 28 Oct. [1780]; sponsor: Michel (?) Groninger. 62. Michael Riedt (?) wife Susanna, son Joh. Nicolaus; [no further informa¬ -t r u tion]. 63. Mart. Zartman, wife Susanna, son Joh. Martin, b. 11 Nov. [1780], bp. 24 Dec. [1780]; sponsors: Hein. Zartman, wife Elisabeth. The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine 354 Twelfth Page of Baptismal Records 1782 ■ n 64. John Georg Brosius 8c wife Cathrina, son Joh. Peter, b. 27 Jan. [1782], bp. 17 Feb. [1782]; sponsors: Pet Hedrich, Johanna Schefer, single. 65. Andreas Reitz & wife Margreta, dau. Maria Elisabeth, b. 18 Feb. [1782], bp. 11 Mar. [1782] ; sponsors: Peter Furster 8c wife. 66. Joh. Georg Pfiefer 8c wife Magtalena [sic], dau. Maria Barbara, b. 21 Feb. [1782], bp. 11 Mar. [1782]; sponsor: Grand Mother (?). 67, Joh. Georg Heim Jun. & wife Rosine, son Joh. Jacob, b. 31 Mar. [1782], bp. 14 Apr. [1782]; sponsors: Grandparents (?). 68. Mathias Winckelmann (?) 8c wife Catrina, son George Friederich, b. 5 July [1782], bp. 14July [1782]; sponsors: George Heim 8c wife Margreth. 69. Conrad Nicolaus 8c wife Anna Barbari [sic], son Joh. Peter, b. 5 July [1782], bp. 14July [1782]; sponsors: Peter Heim, Elisab. Brosius, single. 70. Johan George Borell, wife Regine bom a Schuter (?), son Joh. George, b. 3 July [1782], bp. 15 July [1782]; sponsors: Antonius Borell and wife Maria Barbara, Grandparents of child. 71. Casper Schneider 8c wife Elisabeth, dau. Maria, b. 24 June [1782], bp. 4 Aug. [1782]; sponsors:Joh. Georg Furst and wife Agnes born a Schneider. 72. Johannes Bingaman 8c wife Anna, dau. Elisabeth, b. 29 July [1782], bp. 4 Aug. [1782] ; sponsors: Heinrich Lofler Sc wife Elisabeth. 73. Philip Klinger Sc wife Anna Maria, dau. Elisabeth, b. 11 June [1782], bp. 11 Aug. [1782]; sponsors: Max Hahn Sc wife Elisab. 74. Ad. Hedhrich [ric] 8c wife Maria Catrina, dau. Anna Barbara, b. 24 July [1782], bp. 11 Aug. [1782]; sponsors: Nicol. Brosius Sc wife, Grand Parents (?). 75. Joh. Nichols. Brosius, [no mother named], son Johan Peter, b. 23 July [1782], bp. 11 Aug. [1782]; sponsors: Peter Forster, wife Elisabeth. 76. Michael Schaefer, [no mother named], son Joh. Nicol., b. 24 Aug. [1782], bp. 18 Sept [1782]; sponsors: Grand Parents (?) Nicol. Brosius 8c wife. 1 i The Himmel Church 355 Thirteenth Page of Baptismal Records 1782 (com.) 1783 77. Philip Lofler & wife Cathrin., sonjoh. Philip, b. 24 Sept. [1782], bp. 13 Oct. [1782]; sponsors: Philip Klinger 8c wife An. Mar. 78. Peter Forster & wife Elisabeth, son Johannis [sic], b. 15 Sept [1782], bp. 13 Oct. [1782]; sponsors: Nicolaus Brosiusjun. 8c wife Maria. 79. Lenhard Kerstetter (?) wife Elisabeth, dau. Magdalena, b. 2 Nov. [1782], bp. 3 Nov. [1782]; sponsors:Joh. George Pfeifer, wife Magdalena. 80. Joh. Heim 8c wife Catrine, dau. Elisabeth, b, 14 Nov. [1782], bp. 1 Dec. [1782]; sponsor: Elisabeth Heim, 81. Henr. Groninger, wife Maria, dau, Elisabeth, b, 15 Nov. [1782], bp. 1 Dec. [1782]; sponsors: Henr. Zartm., wife Elisabeth. 82. Henr. Kohler 8c wife Elisabeth, son Friederich, b. 7 Jan. 1783, bp. 9 May [1783] ; sponsors: G. Pfeiffer, wife Magdal. 83. Henr. Lofler, wife Elisabeth, dau. Jannet, b. 25 Jan. 1783, bp. 9 Mar. [1783] ; sponsors: Joh. Bingaman 8c wife Anna. 84. Martin Zartman, wife Sus., son Benjamin, b. 13 Mar. [1783], bp. 6 Aug. 1783; sponsors: Leonh. Kaufman & wife Elisabeth. 85. Georg. Furster & wife Agn., son Johan (n) Georg, b. 30 Mar. [1783], bp. 29 June 1783; sponsors: Caspar Schneider & wife Elis. 86. Henr. Miniam, wife Cath,, son Johan Jacob, b. 17 Aug. [1783], bp. 24 Aug. 1784; sponsors: Peter Heterich (?) Hanna Schafer, single. 87. Peter Albert 8c wife Rosina, son Peter, b. 16 Aug. 1782, bp. 24 Aug. 1783; sponsors: Dan Schafer, An. (?) Maria, single. 88. Johan Leonhardt Kaufman 8c wife Elisabeth, sonjoh. Leonhardt, b. 24 Aug. 1783, bp. 14 Sept. 1783; sponsors: Heinrich Kaufman, Magdalena Cowelin. 89. Andr. Reitz 8c wife Marg., dau, Maria Margareth, b. 4 Sept. (?) [1783], bp. 23 Oct. 1783; sponsors: Joh. Nic. Prosius 8c wife Maria. 90. Joh. Georg Pfeiffer 8c wife Magdalena, son Johan Georg, b. 22 Aug. [1783], bp. 23 Oct. 1783; sponsors: Joh. Georg Schafer & Sus. (?) Kaufman. 91. Joh. Nic. Hederich & wife An. Catharina, dau. Anna Margareth, b. 8 Sept. [1783], bp. 23 Oct. 1783; sponsors: Andr. Reitz 8c wife Marg. 92. Joh. And. Hederich & wife Margaretha, dau. Maria Catharina, b. 15 Sept. [1783], bp. 23 Oct. 1783; sponsors: Joh. Georg Prosius, wife Mar. Catharina. 356 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Fourteenth Page of Baptismal Records* 1783—1785 s® 93. Elders, Johannes Hartter and his lawful wife, Mar. Elisabeth, a son Peter, bom 14th Sept, baptized 9 Oct. 1783. Sponsors, Peter Albert and his lawful wife Regina. 94. Elders, Philipp Klinger and his lawful wife, An. Maria, a daughter Hanna, born 24th March, baptized 20 June 1784. Sponsors Johannes Lofler, Hanna Kunslmaenam (?), single. 95. Elders, George Haupt (?) and his wedded wife, Sal., a sonjohannes, born 22 Oct. 1782. Witnesses, the Elders. 96. Ditto Wilhelm, born 28 Apr. 1784, baptized 15 Aug. 1784, sponsors Conradt Nichol and his wedded wife. 97. Elders, Michel Roth and his wedded wife, Suss. , a son Samuel, born 22 Sept, baptized 10 Oct. 1784. Sponsors, Andr. Ketterle and his wedded wife, Cath. Barbara. 98. Elders, Hen. Gronninger and his wedded wife, An. Maria, a son Johann Henrich, born 27 Nov. 1784, baptized 27 March 1785. Sponsor, Jacob Groninger, single. 99. Elders, Adam Hederich and his lawful wife, Mar. Marg., a daughter Maria Margaretha, bom 24 Jan,, baptized 27 March, 1785. Sponsor, Mar. Marg, Schafer, single. 100. Elders, Peter Furster and his wedded wife, M. Elis., a daughter Catharina, born 8 Jan., baptized 24 Aug. 1785, sponsors Michael Reitz and his lawful wife, Elizabeth. 101. Elders, Phil. Loffler and his wedded wife, Catharina, a daughter, Elisa¬ beth, born 19 March, baptized 24 Aug. 1785, Sponsor Elis. Heim (?) 102. Elders, Hen. Minniam and his lawful wife Cath., a sonjohannes, born 2, baptized 24 Aug. 1785. Sponsor, John Schafer, single. 103. Elders, Christoph Dunkelberger and his lawful wife, Elisabeth, a daugh¬ ter, Susanna, born 31 Dec. 1784, baptized 22 March, 1785. Sponsor, Magdalena Furster, single. 104. Elders, Andreas Reitz, and his wedded wife, Margareth, a son Johann Nicolaus, bom 12 March, baptized 22 May 1785. Sponsors J. Nicolaus Lopp and his wedded wife, Magdalena. ■ * Editor’s note: Starting with the fourteenth page, baptisms were no longer written in columnar form. The entries hereafter are copied verbatim. 357 The Himmel Church 105. Elders, Georg Pfeiffer and his wedded wife Magdalena, a daughter Maria Elis,, born 8, baptized 28 May 1785. Sponsors, Johannes Schafer and his wedded wife, Maria Ella., grandparents. Fifteenth Page of Baptismal Records 1785 106. Elders Heinrich Zartman and his lawful wife, Elizabeth, a daughter bom March 12, baptized 19 June 1785. Sponsors Casper Schneider and his lawful wife, Elisabeth. Name, Sophia. 107. Elders, Martin Zartman and his lawful wife, Susanna, a son Wilhelm, bom 28 May, baptized 19 June 1785. Sponsors Peter Zartman and his lawful wife, Catharina. 108. Elders Georg Klinger and his lawful wife, Mar. Elisabeth, a son Alexan¬ der, born June 18, baptized July 17, 1785. Sponsor, Alexander Klinger, single. 109. Elders Phillip Aman, and his lawful wife Elizabeth, a son [name not given] bom 5 th [July] baptized July 17, 1785. Sponsors Philip Klinger and his lawful wife. 110. Elders Nicolaus Hederich, and his lawful wife, Catharina, a son Georg Philipp, bom 23 July, baptized 14 August 1785. Sponsors Nicolaus Prosius and Barbara, Grandparents. 111. Elders Johannes Knis, and his lawful wife, Elis., a son Johann Michel born 16th, Sept. (?) [stc? year not given], baptized August 14 [1785? year not given]. Sponsor, Michel Schafer, Single. 112. Elders Henrich Koler and his lawful wife, Elisabeth, a daughter Susanna, born 22 Febr., baptized 14 August 1785. Sponsors, John Georg Schafer and Susanna Pfeiffer, single. 113. Elders Johannes Hartter and his lawful wife Elis, a daughter Elisabeth, born 23 June, baptized 14 August 1785. Sponsor Mar. Marg. Rieden, single. 114. Elders Michel Reitz and his lawful wife, Elisabeth, a son John Michel bom 12 baptized 14 August 1785. Sponsors, Andr. Reitz and his lawful wife Margareth. 115. EldersJohannes Schafer and his lawful wife, Magd., a sonJohannes born 1 Aug., baptized 11 Sept. 1785. Sponsor John Georg Schafer (?). 116. EldersJohannes Loffler (?) and his lawful wife Cath. (?), a son Johann (?) Hen. born 15 May, baptized 11 Sept. 1785. Sponsors p 358 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Sixteenth Page of Baptismal Records 1785 (cont.) 1786 * 117. Elders Christoph Mengel (?) and wife An. Maria, daughters 1. Elisabeth [and] 118. 2. Catharina. Sponsors Christian Kobel and Madgalena Kobelin, single. Bom 24 June, baptized 11 Sept. 1785. 119. Elders Johannes Bingamann and wedded Anna, a son Johannes, born 18 Sept, baptized 9 Oct. 1785. Sponsors Peter Hederich and his wedded wife Hanna. 120. Elders Peter Zartman and his lawful wife Cath., a son Peter 19 Sept., baptized 9 Oct. 1785. Sponsors Martin Zartman and his lawful wife Suss. 121. Elders Johannes Heim and his lawful wife An. Cath., a daughter Anna Maria bom 19 Sept, baptized 9 Oct 1785. Sponsors Andreas Hartter and Sussanna Pfeiffer, single. 122. Elders Joh. Nicolaus Prosius and his lawful wife Anna Maria, a son Barnhard (or Leonhard?), born 17 Febr. 1784. Sponsors Andr. Reitz and his lawful wife Margareth. 123. DittoJohn Jacob bom 4 baptized 6 November 1785. Sponsors Nicolaus Henderich and his lawful wife An. Catharina. 124. Elders Jacob Stauch (?) and his lawful wife Catharina, a son Johannes bom 21 Jan. 1784 [baptized 6 November 1785?]. Sponsors Henrich Hahn (?) and his lawful wife Sara. 125. Ditto Anna Maria, bom 26 Sept, baptized 6 Nov. 1785, sponsors Chris¬ toph Berkhaus and his lawful wife, An. Maria. 126. Elders Michel Emerich and his lawful wife Cath., a daughter Catharina Elizabeth born 11 August, baptized 6 Nov. 1785. Sponsors Michael Reid (?) and his wife Jossina (?). 127. Jacob Hartter and his lawful wife Elizabeth, a son Jacob born 3 Febr. baptized 26 March 1786. SponsorsJoh. Hartter and his lawful wife Mar. Elisabeth. Seventeenth Page of Baptismal Records 1786 (cont.) 128. Elders Thomas Jahson (?) and his lawful wife Marg., a daughter Catharina bom 29 Mar. baptized 23 April 1786. Sponsors, Peter Zart¬ man and his lawful wife Cath. Elis. The Himmel Church 359 129. Elders Christoph Dunkelberger, a son Johannes bom 11 November 1785 baptized 21 May 1786. Sponsors Johannes Dunkelberger and his wife An. Maria. 130. Elders Coenath Schwenkenhapt (?) and his lawful wife, Sussanna, a son Martin bom 3 Apr. baptized 21 May 1786. Sponsors Martin Zartman and his lawful wife Sussanna. 131. Elders James Ostmnan (?) and his lawful wife Marg., a daughter Elizabeth born 24 May, baptized 23July 1786. SponsorsJohannes E. Harrtter and his wife Elisabeth. 132. Elders Michel Ried (?) and his lawful wife Magd., a son Leonard born 25 June, baptized 23 July 1786. Sponsors Leonh. Reitz and Maria Dunkelberger, single. 133. Elders Pet Maurer and his lawful wife, Cath., a sonJohann Philipp bom 8 Jan. baptized 20 Aug. 1786. Sponsors Phil. Brosius (?) and his wife Cath. 134. Elders Henrich Kohler and his lawful wife Elisabeth, a daughter Catharina born 25 Aug. baptized 17 Sept. 1786. Sponsor Susanna Pfeiffer, single. 135. Elders Philipp Klinger and his lawful wife An. Maria, a son bom 27July baptized 21 August 1786. Sponsor Alexander Klinger. The son’s name is Alexander. 136. Elders J. Jac. Prosius and his lawful wife Marg., a son John Jacob bom 27 Sept baptized 15 Oct. 1786. SponsorsJoh. Bingaman and his lawful wife Anna. 137. Elders Adam Hederich and his lawful wife M. Marg., a son Johann Jacob born 12 Sept, baptized 15 Oct. 1786. Sponsor, Abr. Prosius, single. Eighteenth Page of Baptismal Records 1786—1787 138. Elders Henerich Schwenkenhapt (?) and his lawful wife Cath., a son Johann Georg bom 29 Aug. 1785, baptized 15 Oct 1786. Sponsors J. Georg. Klinger and his lawful wife Elis. 139. Elders Georg Furster and his lawful wife Hanna, a son Johannes bom 18 Aug. baptized 9 Oct 1785 [1786?]. Sponsor Coenath Furster, single. 360 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine 140. Elders Jacob Stauch (?) and his wife Cath,, a daughter Susanna Sophia bom 14 Mar. baptized 29 Apr. 1787. Sponsors Georg Heim and his lawful wife. 141. EldersJohannes Hartter and his lawful wife M. Elisabeth, a son Andreas born 6Jan. baptized 6 Febr. 1787. Sponsors And. Hartter, Magd. Ridin. 142. Sponsors Georg Heim and his lawful wife Rosina, a daughter Maria Catharina bom 13 Mar. Bapdzed 29 Apr. 1787. Sponsors Jacob Stauch (?) and his lawful wife. 143. Elders Peter Zartman and his lawful wife Cath., a son Christoph born 9, bapdzed 29 Apr. 1787. Sponsors Hen. Groninger and his lawful wife A. M. 144. Elders Henry Groninger and his lawful wife A. Maria, a son John Peter born 21 Mar. baptized 29 Apr. 1787. Sponsors Peter Zartman and his lawful wife Cath, 145. Elders Nicolaus Hederich and his lawful wife Cath., a son Johan Georg born 10, bapdzed 29 Apr. 1787. Sponsors George Pfeiffer and his lawful wife. 146. Elders Georg Schwenkenhapt (?) and his lawful wife Elis. (?), a son Georg Leonard born 25 Mar., bapdzed 29 April 1787. Sponsor Jac. p + Schwenkenhapt (?). 147. Elders Christian Stutzman and his lawful wife Elis. (?), a son Johann Adam bom 11 Febr. bapdzed 29 Apr. 1787. SponsorsJ. Adam Hederich (?) and his lawful wife. 148. Elders Martin Zartman and his lawful wife Suss., a daughter Barbara born 21, baptized 29 Apr. 1787, Sponsors Michel Schafer and Catha¬ rine (?) Zartman, single. 149. Elders Georg Schafer and his lawful wife Suss., a son Johannes born 26 Febr. baptized 29 Apr. 1787. Sponsors Georg Pfeiffer (?) and his lawful wife. LIST OF COMMUNICANTS— JUNE 30, 1776 1. Nicolaus Schneider and wife 2. Catharina, Daughter 3. Margareth 4. Carl Henry Kaufman and Wife 5. Susanna Sophia, Sons 6. Georg Henry 7. Joh. Friedrich 8.Joh. Leonard 9. G. Hen. Reitz and wife 10. An. Martha. Sons and daughter 11. Henry 12. Michael The Himmel Church 13. Andreas 14. An. Maria 15. Johannes Miller and wife 16. Maria, Daughter 17. Catharina 18. Georg Forster and wife 19. Maria Dorothea and daughter 20, Eleonora (?) 21. G. Heim and wife 22, Maria Marg. Sons 23. Johannes 24. Wilhelm 25. Dan. Kobel 26. Barbara Proslus and sons and daughter 27. Joh. Nicolaus 28. Joh. Georg 29. Maria Margareth 30. An. Cath. Hethrrigin 31. Pet. Furster and wife 32. Marla Elisabeth 33. Christ. Henthrig 34. Pet. Albert and wife 35. Regeina (?) 36. Edwarth Furster, single 37. Mart. Zartman, single 38. Hen. Groninger, single 39. Joh. G. Pfeiffer, single 40. Phil. Klinger S[on] 41. Georg. 42. Joh, G. Forster 43. Joh. Georg Heim and wife 44. Rosina 45. Wilh. Forster 46. Hen. Zartman and wife 47. Elisabeth 48. Johannes Harter, single 49. John Schafer and wife 50. Eva, Sons 51. Joh. Adam 52. Nicolaus 53. Andreas 54. Elisabeth 55. Cath. Barbara Ketterlie 56. Christina Margareth 57. Maria Heettrrin Jr. 58. An. Barb. Rebockin 59. Elisabeth Schmidtin 60. Cath. Fursterin 61. An. Mar. Minjamin 62. Cath. Fursterin (?) 63. An. Mar. Zartmanin, single 64. Mar. Elisabeth Kumpin (?) COMMUNICANTEN— JULY 8, 1 787 1. Philip Rauschkolp 2. Michael Reitz 3. John Nicolaus Groniger 4. Anna Maria 5. Maria Elizabetha Gronigern 6. Andony Porell (Borell) 7. Maria Barbara 8. Catharina Porelln (Borell) 9. Christoph Henterich 10. Nicolaus Schneider 11. Leonhardt Kaufman 12. John Philip Haupt 13. Nicolaus Prosius (Broslus) 14. Anna Barbara 15. Hannes Prosius (Johannes Brosius) 16. Andreas Reitz 17. Margaretha 361 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine 362 18. Hann Nicolaus Prosius (John Nicolaus Brosius) 19. Anna Maria 20. Wilhelm Forster 21. Hann Georg Prosius (Brosius) 22. Heinrich Reitz 23. Dorethea 24. Anna Maria Reitzen 25. Catharina Barbara Ketterlie 26. Anna Barbara Rechbokin 27. Maria Magdalena Danielen 28. Hanna Hettrigen 29. Anna Catharina Hettrigen 30. Michael Schaefer November 11, 1787, there were thirty communicants. May 24-25, 1788, there were thirty communicants and an additional fifteen who were confirmed. From 1788 there were no communion lists until 1795. In 1795 Espich recorded three lists of communicants: twenty-five, forty-nine, and eighty-three, respectively. Communication List Dec. (?) 25, 1795 1. Nicolaus Brosius and 22. Jacob Zartman 23. Peter Zartman 2. Anna Maria his wife 3. Barbara Brosius with 24. Chrisdan Furster 25. Nicolaus Hetterich 4. Nicolaus Brosius, Junior l! 5. Andreas Reiz and 6. Margaretha his wife 7. Wilhelm Zimmerman 8, Dorothea his wife 9. Johannes Dunkelberger 10. Johannes, his son 11. Jacob Bauman (?) 12. Heinrich Schweinhardt 13. Phillip Raushkolb ?, his wife 14. Jacob 15. Barbara 16. Peter Kiel 17. Elisabeth, his daughter 18. Nicholaus Schneider 19.Jacob, his son 20. Christine— daughter 21. Barbara Ditto - — 26. Phillip Rausch kolp 27. Maria Elisab. Hetterichin 28. Catharina Hetterichin 29. Catharina Brosiusin 30. Catharina Reizin 31. Barbara Hetterichin 32. Mar, Elisabeth Reizin 33. Magdalena Schweinharddn 34. Marg. Elis. Witmerin (?) 35. Sussanna Raushkolpin 36. Elisabeth Raushkolpin 37. Ann. Mar. Riedin 38. Samuel Blum and his wife 39. Magdalena 40. Peter Hohwerter 41. Phillip Keterman 42. Margaretha Raushin 363 The Himmel Chunk 43. Johannes Koppenhafer 44. Anna Maria 45. Maria Catharina Brosiusin 46. Anna Maria (?) 47. Magdalena SchafFerin 48. Elisabeth 49. Elisabeth Gruberin with 50. Susanna daughter 51. Rossina Ditto 52. Georg Pfeiffer and wife 64. Magdalena Maurerin 65. Heinrich Reiz 66. Maria his daughter 67. Georg Heim 68. Wilhelm his son 69. Michael Schaffer 70, Georg Heim 71. Margaretha his wife 72. Joh. Georg Dunkelberger 73. Johannes Schaffer 74. Margaretha, his wife 75, Margaretha Klockin (?) 76. Catharina daughter 77. Hanna Hetterichin 78. Magdalena Rebockin 79. Maria Raushin 80. Anna Mar. SchafFerin 81. Magdalena Fursterin 82. Elisabeth Fursterin 83. Catharine Miniam - —— 53. Mar. Magdalena 54. Barbara Pfeifferin with 55. Christoph Berkhaus 56. Catharina Millerin 57. Maria Elisab. Fursterin 58. Anna Fursterin 59. Magdalena Raushkolbin 60. Catharina Fursterin 61. Christian Witmer (?) 62. Anna Maria his wife 63.JohnJacob son — — Record of Contributions for the building of a new church. (Protocol) (Immediately following the resolutions of June 14, 1817) Michael Reitz Lenart Kaufman George Miller Adam Rehbock, Senior Michael Rebock dito Philip Hetterich Michael Reitz, Junior Peter Brosius Jacob Smith George Adam Reorge [ric] Reitz Lenart Reitz Samuel Hoch Jacob Oxenreiter $50 30 16 60 50 50 35 50 40 15 15 10 30 20 Godfreed Thomas Niklaus Sn eider Nicklaus Brosius George Brosius George Delp Andrew Geist Andrew Reitz Niclaus Adam Christian Farger Abraham Keefer, 1000 ft. Board Christian Thomas Benedict Schollenberger Jacob Thomas $20 100 30 40 40 40 40 180 20 20 10 364 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Daniel Gantzer Peter Reitz John Reith George Reith Mathias Heim Michael Furst Jacob Reitz Lenart Kaufman, Junior Abraham Hoch Frederich Trion Peter Sneider Frederich Kehler Samuel Ressler, arbiter John Berskhaus Jacob Auster David Hess, Gotfried Michael Brosius Jacob Falck Conrad Rehbock, arbiter Peter Rehbock, arbiter Phillip Schanckweiler Michael Neushwenter John Kness John Rehbock Adam Rehbock Bernt Adam Jacob Kroh Niklaus Drumheller Martin Drumheller Conrad Hensel Jacob Sneider $ 50 25 Arb. Sneider George Sneider John Kifer Michael Rieth Daniel Hoch, arbiter Abraham Brosius John Geist, 4 Tage, arbiter # 50 24 8 8 20 60 25 15 15 55 10 20 15 20 15 14 25 8 12 3 $30 15 8 10 Peter Fuerst 18 5 John Auster 5 Michael Rehbock, Junior Michael Hettrich Michael Osenreiter NICKLAUS HEMPING* ADAM KREILIGH* Daniel Kifer John Reitz Frederich Rehbock Godfreed Rehbock John Farger Daniel Auster Ab, Auster Godfreed Farger Philip Haupt, eine V. Boy, arbiter George Kump Michael Braun Georg Geist Niklaus Rehbock Michael Ried Jacob Schanckweiler 18 30 20 16 10 4 3 4 4 10 15 4 16 20 3 1 5 20 * Editor’s note. Only these two names appear in the record in capital letters. Rev. John Nicolas Hemping was pastor of the congregation when the church was built; Nicklaus is certainly a relative, perhaps a son; or, maybe this is the pastor’s name in a variant spelling. Adam Kreiligh’s significance is not noted in John H. Carter’s text.