Church History: Salem Reformed Church, Reamstown, Lancaster County, PA

Copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Abby Bowman

Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
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History of the Classis of Lancaster of the Eastern Synod of the
Reformed Church in the United States, 1852-1940;

Part II, Histories of the Congregations of the Classis of Lancaster, Pg. 240-243

Printed by The New Holland Clarion, New Holland, PA;
Editors Rev. Daniel G. Glass, Rev. C. George Bachman, Rev. Harry E. Shepardson,
Rev. John F. Frantz, Rev. J. N. Le Van, D.D.
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SALEM REFORMED CHURCH, REAMSTOWN

Rev. Winfield Scott Brendle, Pastor

Records of Salem Reformed Church, Reamstown, date back as early as the year 
1773.  It was in that year, on the 28th day of June, when a deed for Lot No. 54, 
containing 72 perches, was given to Tobias Ream and his wife, Juliana, to Andrew 
Ream and Jacob Rupp, trustees "for the purpose of a free school house and for 
building a house of worship, Reformed (Presbyterian) and Lutheran Church, and 
burying ground to be used by said congregations".  The consideration was two 
shillings, subject to a yearly ground rent of four pence.

On November 7, 1798, a receipt was given by Tobias Ream for eight shillings and 
four pence, the amount of arrears for ground rent for twenty-five years.  On 
January 5, 1858, a full release was given by Frederick Ream to the trustees of 
the two congregations.  Following this, September 14, 1860, an additional one-
fourth acre was purchased from Jacob Reddig to be joined with one-fourth acre 
previously purchased from Philip Bushong, April 9, 1836, both as additions to 
the original burial ground.  It is definitely known that fifty Revolutionary 
soldiers were buried in this old Reamstown Cemetery.  These soldiers were housed 
in a brick building in Reamstown, used as a hospital for sick and wounded.

The corner stone of the present church at Reamstown was laid June 4, 1815, to be 
known as the "Cocalico Salem Church, for the use of the Lutheran and German 
Reformed Congregations".  The first church was dedicated June 8 and 9, 1817.

In 1848 a new bell was purchased, weighing 304 pounds at a cost of $114.40.

In 1859 the two congregations purchased a pipe organ at a cost of $500.  The 
organ was dedicated October 22 and 23, 1859, and is still in use.

The first choristers of the Reformed Congregation were Elias Weitzel, Sr., and 
Emanuel S. Killian.  The first organists were Samuel H. Gring and Emanuel S. 
Killian.

The first Union Sunday School was organized in 1834.  In 1877 the Union School 
was divided and since that time two separate schools have been maintained.  One 
of Salem's present elders, Monroe C. Killian, holds the record for continuous 
service as Superintendent of the Reformed Sunday School, approximately thirty 
years.

The following have served as pastors of Salem, Reamstown:  Rev. John Faber, 1817 
(the first recorded); Rev. Frederick Harman; Rev. Thomas Leinbach, Sr.; Rev. 
Christian Weiler; Rev. I. E. Graeff; Rev. A. Helffenstein, 1852; Rev. Samuel 
Seiber, 1852-1855; Rev. Wm. A. Good, 1855-1860; Rev. Thomas C. Leinbach, 1860-
1866; Rev. Samuel A. Leinbach, 1866-1868; Rev. Stephen Schweitzer, 1868-1889; 
Rev. J. V. George 1889-1891; Rev. Lucien J. Mayer, 1891-1895; Rev. Jairus A. 
Wickert, 1895-1915; Rev. Wm. D. Marburger, 1915-1920; Rev. Winfield Scott 
Brendle, 1920 to the present time, a period of twenty-two years, the largest 
pastorate on record.

The first Reformed officers of Salem church were:  Elders, John Lesher and 
Andrew Ream; deacons, Christian Ruth and John Ream; trustees, Henry Hibshman and 
Adam Ream.

Elder Monroe C. Killian, a present elder and his father, Emanuel Killian, hold a 
joint record of ninety-two years as officers and secretary of the consistory.  
This commendable record can hardly be duplicated in the long history of the 
Reformed Church.  Father Emanuel Killian served as elder until 84 years of age.  
His resignation is dated March 18, 1893.  The present consistory consists of the 
following members:  Elders, Monroe C. Killian, S. Grill and Frank Kutz; Deacons, 
Galen Haldeman, Carl Wingenroth, Lester Dennis, Paul Lesher, Willard Reifsnyder 
and Frank Brubaker; Trustees, Curtis Swartz and S. L. Grill.  The present 
membership of Salem is 105, an increase of 80 per cent. in the past twenty 
years.

The present Sunday School Superintendent is Walter W. Good.

Mrs. Helen Smith is the present organist of the church and William Getz is the 
chorister.  Sons in the ministry from Salem are Rev. Thomas W. Rhoads and Rev. 
Frank Witmer.