First a Union Congregation, composed of Reformed and Lutherans, Friedens Reformed Church was organized by Rev. D. B. Ernst and Rev. J. D. Gackenheimer, in December, 1846. Rev. D. B. Ernst had previously preached to the people for one year. The first elders were: Jacob Snyder and Nicholas Zahnies; deacons: John Sudor and John Schmedt. The church edifice formerly belonged to the Reformed and Lutheran denominations, but is now the property of the Reformed congregation. It is worth about six hundred dollars. A thirty-acre tract of land belongs to it. The present membership is twenty-four; sabbath school, twenty-seven.
Names of original members:
Elizabeth Apple
Nicholas Apple
Samuel Bender
Catharine Crissy
Elias Crissy
Elizabeth Crissy
Abraham Good
Joseph Long
Rebecca Schmedt
Sarah Sudor
Daniel Wilt
Elizabeth Wilt
Josiah Wilt
Peter Wilt
Sophia Wilt
Catharine Zahnies
Mrs. Zahnies
Catharine Zerfass
The pastors have been as follows:
1845 – Rev. D. B. Ernst; J. D.Gachenheimer (assistant)
1852 – 1856, C. F. Hoffmeier
1859 – 1862, Wm. Conrad
1863 – 1864, H. H, W. Hibshman
1865 – 1869, A. J. Heller
1869 – 1875, H. F. Keener
1876 – 1879, W. H. Bates
1879 – 1883, J. S. Wagner
1883 – W. D. Lefevre
(Source: History of Bedford, Somerset & Fulton Counties, PA; 1884)
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