1902Part of the plot at the corner of Spruce Alley andFranklin Street was sold to Beth.Israel Synagogue.This was the site of the first church and log school.Also a lot facing on Franklin Street was sold toI. E. Asbury, a local barber,

1905—1907Rev. Paul Z. Strodach. Installed November 11, 1905,Remained until March 17, 1907. Author of Hymns 103(Now Let the Vaults of Heaven Resound) and 209(God of Our Life) in the Service Book and Hymnal.

1907—1916Rev. R. Morris Smith, D.D. Pastorate began May 16,1907. Remained until May 15, 1916, Died December 25,1938.

In 1910 the pastor’s salary was fixed at $1,000 peryear. Previous to this time, salary was by subscription.

May 1916—December 1916Vacant — Supplied served.1916—1920Rev. R. E. Jensen. Presided at first Council meetingDecember 1916. Installed April 1917. Served untilJanuary 1, 1920. Salary for year 1916—1917 was fixedat $2,000.

1918A study began for the erection of a new church, havingoutgrown their present church, Building Committeewas Rev. R. E. Jensen, Frank Berthel, Lewis Paul.Architects drawing presented.1919Five lots on East Chestnut Street were purchased for$21,500 for the purpose of erecting the third church.The site was found unsuitable for a church building.Instead, a building was erected and leased to Sears,Roebuck & Co. Several other storeroöms were renovatedand leased.

August 12, 1919The property at Beau and Franklin Streets was sold toChristian Science Society of Washington, Pa. Churchsold for $7,000, Parsonage for $5,500. ChristianScience used this building until razed in 1965 forredevelopment project.October 26, 1919Leave taking service at Beau Street Church — Rev.R. E. Jensen, Pastor. Service included demobilizing

World War I Service Flag which cont~ined 112 blue stars, 2gold stars, Encasing colors, enshrouding the chancelfurniture,Note: The chancel furniture — altar, pulpit, lectern,baptismal font were installed.in the present church and arestill in use, The altar is the product of the cabinetmaking skills of Rev. Hemsath.1919—1926Worshipped in the Public Meeting Room of the Court House.I92O~1922

~ Rev. Frank C. Oberly became pastor. Installed November 1,1920. Under him a building fund was begun but plans werelaid aside when his ministry was terminated by his untimelydeath March 22, 1922. The organ in the present church wasdedicated as a memorial to him.

N5.Y 31j 1921Petition presented to Court to abandon old graveyard.September 8,~ 1921Hearing and petition granted to vacate “Old German Graveyard”. Bodies to be reinterred separately in theWashington Cemetery.1922~19 149Rev. Harry B. Ernest. Installed October 1, 1922. RetiredDecember 31, 1949, when he became Pastor Emeritus, whichoffice he held until his death May 27, 1964 at age 90.

December 3,1923Decree to vacate graveyard modified to change location ofreinterment from Washington Cemetery to a “suitable andappropriate vault, which shall be located and constructedeither within the church building to be erected, or out—side thereof but adjacent thereto and within the limits ofsaid old graveyard”.1923New church proposed.May 19214Thirty five members of the Brotherhood met at Wigman—IamsLumber Co. and constructed small individual caskets forthe remains to be excavated from the old graveyard.June 19214Excavation started on burial vault.September 19214Vault completed. Cost $1,350.October 5, 19214.Private recommittal services for remains reinterred invault. 373 bodies were recommitted. Participants in therecommittal service were Rev. Harry B. Ernest, Councilmembers, President Judge James I. Brownson. The prayer wasoffered by Professor 0. F.H. Bert.

September 19214Change proposed in plans for new church in order to cutcosts. Contract price $126,500. Total completed costabout $200,000. J. C. Fulton & Son of Uniontown —

Architects; Eckstein — Kuglen Co. of Wheeling, W. Va. —

Contractors.December 19214Ground breaking for new church.

May 1925Permission was granted by the owners of the old churchon W. Beau Street to remove contents of cornerstone,laid in 1884. Most articles had disintegrated becausethey were contained in a tin box which had rusted.April 19, 1925Cornerstone laying ceremony.Contents of copper box, said box being furnished byManrow’s, the roofing contractor for the church:

Holy BibleCommon Service Book of United Lutheran ChurchLuther’s Small CatechismList containing names of Church Council membersSunday School Officers and Teachers, Ladies Aidand Missionary Society, Luther League, Brotherhood.List containing names of City Officials andJudges of County Courts.Minutes of Pittsburgh SynodYear Book of United Lutheran ChurchCopies of “The Lutheran”Copies of “Lutheran Herald”Our Lenten program for 1924 and 1925Individual Communion CupOld one—half cent coin dated 1803 found in thecornerstone of previous churchCopies of Washington Observer and Reporter

June 20—27, 1926 Church Dedication WeekSunday, June 20 Church dedicatedMonday, June 21 Post dedication — Organization WeekTuesday, June 22 Post dedication — Community NightWednesday, June 23 Post dedication — Mid—week ServiceThursday, June 24 Post dedication — Music NightFriday, June 25 Post dedication — Preparatory ServiceSaturday, June 26 Post dedication — Children’s ServiceSunday, June 27 Post dedication — Confirmation and

Communion1928First Community Vacation Bible School. Cooperatingchurches were First United Presbyterian, Third

1879First organ purchased and installed. For over 60 yearsthe old German songs were sung in this church withoutbenefit of instrumental music of any kind.

During this period there was controversy over the language(German or English); organizing a Sunday School; andinstrumental music of any kind.I883—1895Rev C. A. Wenzel, D,D. During his pastorate, the con—troversy over the language problem was solved, Hepreached in both languages until German was terminated about1895.

Name changed by charter amendment to First EvangelicalLutheran Church.

Under the 1884 charter, the congregation became establishedon a distinct Lutheran basis and entered into membershipof the Pittsburgh Synod of the Evangelicai Lutheran Church.For several years the parish received missionary assistancebut after 1891 such aid was declined as unnecessary.18814Lot purchased on corner of West Beau Street and SouthFranklin Street for the erection of a new church. Cost oflot $800.1885.Church at corner of Beau and Franklin Streets dedicated,Church erected at a cost of $4,154.1892Last burial in old graveyard, that of Mallosena Alrutz.Died October 3, 1892 in her 71st year. No interments priorto this for 10 or 15 years. She was buried here at herrequest.1896.-1898Rev, C. B,Lintwed installed February 1896. Died atBiglersville, Pa. May 27, 1940 at age 82.1898—1900Pulpit filled by supplied.1900—1905Rev. C. H. Hemsath installed April 1900. Died September1928 while visiting in the home of Dr. Howard Smith ofWashington, Pa.

Parsonage at the rear of Beau Street Church completed.Rev. Hemsath did considerable work on this parsonage.

1829—183~4Rev. Johrr Brown succeeded Rev. Weygandt.

18311Rev. Abraham Winters, possibly a United Brethren Supply.

18311—1838Rev. Charles Swissler. Reformed Supply.

1838—18111Pulpit Vacant. According to Dr. Creigh~s 1870 historyof Washington, probably supplied by Rev. Doubert andRev. Beckerman.

1811 1—18 14 3Rev. P. H. R. Meuller,

May 23, 18112Incorporated as German Evangelical Lutheran and Reformed Church of the Borough of Washington.

1811 3—18 55Rev. Abraham Weills

18 55—18 58Vacant. Served by Supplies.

1858—1859Rev. John Haerdtle

1859—1863Rev. Abraham Weills (second term)18 63—18 66Vacant. Served by Supplies186 6—18 6 9Rev. Michael Schweigert (Lutheran)1867About this time Reformed ceased to exist. Englishservices were held irregularly with the Rev. Weillscontinuing as English pastor.

1870—1882 — Rev. G. C. Frederick as the German pastor.1872 — Rev. L. H. Geabul as English supply pastor.1881—1883 — Rev. J. W. Myers as English supply.During this period there were two ministers. The servicewas in both German and English.Note: Some of these early ministers also served theBethlehem Lutheran Church at Glyde: Rev. G.H. Weygandt,Rev. John Brown, Rev. Abraham Weills, Rev. L.H. Geabul,Rev. J.W, Myers.1871Sunday School organized. Conducted in German languageuntil 1879. Growth slow. Jacob Blond was the lastsurvivor~of our congregation to attend this SundaySchool. He was one of the early superintendents of theSunday School. Mrs. Catherine Moninger was the firstsuperintendent.

Presbyterian, Jefferson Avenue Methodist, First Lutheran.In session from June 11 to July 6. Teachers were paid.School operated in three divisions, each division meetingat a different church. Junior Division met at FirstLutheran, Mrs. Maude Hootman, teacher.1947Reception for Rev, Ernest commemorating 25 years service toFirst Lutheran Church.19117East Chestnut Street property sold.Decerber 31, 1949Rev. Harry B. Ernest retired. Became Pastor Emeritus.May 7, 1950Rev, Reginald E, Dozer assumed charge. Installed May 14,1950,May27, 1953111th Convention of the Pittsburgh Synod of the EvangelicalLutheran Church met in First Lutheran Church. Thirteenyoung men were ordained into the ministry at this convention, It is the only time that the Synod convened here.Nay 27, 1953Rev, Ernest was honored at a special service of the Synodin convention on the occasion of the 50th anniversary ofhis ordination,October 21, 1956Dedication and blessing service for renovated chancel.The newly installed paneling and reredos are a memorial toLewis H. Paul, presented by his wife. Mr. Paul served onthe Church Council from 1921 to 1946.April 1959New Service Books and Hymnals dedicated.1950’sAmplifiers installed. A gift from Mr. and Mrs. HarryMiller as a memorial to their daughter, Edith Miller MilesCalhoun.

Original carpet replaced. A gift from Mr. and Mrs. FrankRackley.

Property purchased for parking lot.

Houses on East side of Church purchased and demolished.

I. E, Asbury property purchased and demolished to makeroom for new educational wing.June 1960Choir lost enlarged.

1960—1963Sometime during this period the name was changed toFirst Lutheran Church of Washington, Pa.1963A fund drive was organized and $16,520 was raised forthe renovation of the organ.

1966Plans adopted for erection of new educational wing.Fund drive organized.

December 15, 1968Ground breaking for new educational wings1969Kenneth N. Schott served as summer student seminarian.October 11, 1970Reception for Rev. Dozer commemorating 42 years inthe aidni~try.

January 18, 1970j~áucational Wing dedicated.

June 13, 1971Kenneth N. Schott ordained at Zion Lutheran Church,Pittsburgh.

197 1—197 2Rev. Kenneth N. Schott served as Associate Pastor,First Lutheran Church.

December 3, 1972Kneelers installed and dedicated. A gift from Mr.and Mrs. Frank B. Rackley.April 30, 1973Rev. Reginald E. Dozer, D.D, retired. Became PastorEmeritus.April 30, 1973Rev. Kenneth N. Schott assumed charge. InstalledApril 30, 1973.October 21, 1973175th Anniversary observance began with the morningworship service. Rev. R. E. Dozer, D.D. preachedthe sermon. Cherub, Childrens, Lutheran and SeniorChoirs provided special music.

Community Choir, under the direction of G. RichardZimmerman, presented a concert of sacred music atthe evening service.

October 27, 1973Anniversary Banquet at First Christian Church.Master of Ceremonies — Mr. Joseph Jefferson;Principal Speaker — Dr. Ernest L. Abernathy. Entertainment provided by the New Washingtän Chorus.

It is interesting to note that the County of Washingtonwas created by Act of Legislature March 28, 1781 and thetown was incorporated as a borough February 13, 1810.September 1 812Trustees made a contract with James Chambers, a carpenter,to build a Meeting House for the congregation. Contractprice — $170, Trustees to furnish materials. Buildingwas delayed probably due to lack of funds. Subscriptionswere taken to pay Mr. Chambers and buy material.1816The Meeting House, facing on Spruce Alley, was completedon what is now the annex area of the Knights of ColumbusBuilding (formerly the Beth Israel Synagogue),

After personal examination in 1921 by Earle Forrest,historian, it was revealed this building was of brick,laid between studding and weatherboarding placed on theoutside. The entrance was in the center fronting on SpruceAlley. The interior had a balcony extending along the westand north sides and part of the east side. The pulpit waselevated style about 9’ or 10’ high, resembling a half wirreglass, reached by circular stairs. The seats were oakbenches and faced the pulpit. Lighted by tallow candles.The floor was foot wide tongue and groove supported byheavy logs across the entire building, instead of sawedjoists. These logs were supported in the center by loguprights on which the bark was still in place. Later yearsthis was converted into a double dwelling owned by BethIsrael Congregation.1817First burial in graveyard. Oldest stone found that ofHenrietta Koch, died September 29, 1817. Age 11 months, 24days.1818The Lutheran Congregation built a log school on the samepröj~erty (Corner of Spruce and Franklin) used by thechildren of early German settlers from 1818—1831. Buildinglater occupied by the church sexton. It stood until 1902when it was torn down to make room for the Beth IsraelSynagogue.1816—1829Rev. C. H. Weygandt served as pastor.

Ho-ge October 18~ 173i~ A Meetingwith a burial grounds adjoining.$2.00 on all lots in the originaldue “forever” to John and William

House was to be erectedThe ground rental ofplan of Washington wasHoge and their heirs.

The history of the First Lutheran Church of Washingtonas it is now known goes back almost to the beginning ofthe town itself. Among the early settlers ofWashington and vicinity were a number of Germans whocould speak little or no English. Others came from theDutch settlements of York and Cumberland Counties andwere what we call “Pennsylvania Dutch”.

The German settlers were Lutherans and the Dutch belonged to the Reformed or Dutch Presbyterian Church.The two spoke a common language. Washington Countywas then the edge of the western frontier of civilization. There was no church here of theirdenomination. Their religious beliefs were much thesame, so they banded together for the common good,meeting in each others houses for religious worship.1782A letter found among the papers of Charity Meeks,written in October, 1782, asked that Adam Koehier(Koechier) of Bassettown (Washington) be informed thata minister would be in the vicinity.

1798There are no written records of these early gatherings~but tradition tells us that about 1798 the GermanLutherans and Dutch Presbyterian settlers in oldWashington town and vicinity gathered at the house ofJacob Weuler for “spiritual advice and comfort”. Theybecame known as the German Lutheran and Presbyterian(Reformed) Congregation.

1801About this time and for several years, Rev. DemasHertzler, a Reformed minister, made irregular visits,preaching and baptizing in the homes of members.1811 or 1812 to 1816Rev. J. P. Mahnenschmidt (Reformed) was the firstregular pastor.

May 5, 1812Two lots were bought from Peter Snyder and Catherine,his wife, for the consideration of $50.00 and theannual ground rent of $2.00, They were conveyed toJacob Weirich, Lewis Hewit, David Ledicker andChristian Hornich, trustees and managers of theGerman Lutheran and Presbyterian Congregation. Thelots fronted 120’ on Spruce Alley and extended northalong what is now North Franklin Street 240’ to WalnutStreet. Walnut Street was then the northern boundaryof the original plot of Washington laid out by David

October 28, 1973Special Sunday School Program featuring Mark Tedeschi,ventriloquist and Sylvester.

Reformation Service with the Rev. Gerald Christianson,Associate Professor of Church History at GettysburgSeminary and Dr. William C. Hankey, President of W. Pa. —

W. ~1a~ Synod.

Researched and Prepared by: Mrs. Helen SwaggardV Mrs. Kathleen Comfort

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FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH OF WASHINGTON, PA.

For this reason I bow my knees before the

Father, from whom every family in heaven and

on earth is named, that according to the

riches of his glory he may grant you to be

strengthened with might through his Spirit

in the inner man, and that Christ may dwell CHRONOLOGY

in your hearts through faith; that you, beingCompiled for 175th Anniversary

rooted and grounded in love, may have power

to comprehend with all the saints what is October 21—28, 1973

the breadth and length and height and depth,

and to know the love of Christ which surpasses

knowledge, that you may be filled with all the

fulness of God. Now to him who by the power Sources of Information:

at work within us is able to do far moreOctober 1921 Observer—Reporter History by Earle Forrest

abundantly than all that we ask or think, toChurch Records

him be glory in the church and in ChristMrs, Naude Hootman’s Scrapbook

Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever.

Amen.