Church History: Trinity Reformed Church, Columbia, Lancaster County, PA Copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Abby Bowman Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/pa/lancaster/ ________________________________________________ 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. 278-282 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. ________________________________________________ TRINITY REFORMED CHURCH, COLUMBIA Rev. Clyde F. Straub, Pastor (Most of this material has been obtained from a lengthy history compiled by the late Dr. J. H. Pannebecker) When an immigration of German Reformed people came to America, Columbia was not overlooked. As early as 1904 (sic?), there is a record of a congregational organization in this section. Joint ownership of churches was the rule in those days because of the poverty of the people, and from 1807-1853 the Reformed congregation held their services alternately with the Lutheran congregation in a Union church, which was erected on Walnut Street, above Third. There is no mention of a pastor at the laying of the corner stone of the Union Church in 1804. In the year 1808, the congregation elected as their pastor, Rev. Henry B. Schaffner. The Lutheran pastor was Rev. Jacob Strein. In 1820, the consistory of the Reformed congregation petitioned the legislature of the State for a charter. This charter was granted by the governor, the Honorable Mr. Hiester, July 23, 1821. The Rev. Mr. Schaffner served the congregation until 1840. For four years the congregation was without a minister and during this time it fell into a low condition. Then Classis came to the rescue and appointed a Rev. Mr. Bokum as missionary pastor. Under Rev. Mr. Bokum's ministry action was taken by the Reformed congregation to erect an edifice in which they might worship every Sabbath Day instead of on alternate Sabbaths. July 21, 1844, the consistory passed a resolution that immediate measures be taken to erect an edifice wherein the people might worship once a week. Nine years later a lot was purchased for the new church. Rev. D. Y. Heisler succeeded Rev. Mr. Bokum, and became pastor in 1845, one year after the intense activity for the new church. April 28, 1850, Rev. Heisler administered his last communion in the church. Both Rev. Mr. Bokum and Rev. Mr. Heisler were men of distinction. The former became an army chaplain. Dr. Heisler was for a time Superintendent of Bethany Orphans' Home, and he is the author of several volumes of "The Fathers of the Reformed Church", completing the work of Dr. Harbaugh. The erection of the new church was delayed for quite some time. The corner stone was laid in June, 1854, but due to an epidemic of Asiatic cholera which broke out in the region, the building was not completed until December, 1855. During the erection of the new building, the congregation worshipped in the Town Hall. Soon after the erection of the new building, the congregation became financially embarrassed and lost their property. However, under the leadership of Dr. Theodore Appel and Rev. J. G. Wolf, of Lancaster, together with such staunch supporters as Messrs. Hodgendobler, Roye, Klinger, Seiple and Derrick, and a group of loyal women, the property was bought back again. Now the congregation began to prosper. A parsonage was erected and the church was remodeled. A new spirit had rekindled a spark which was not to die out. This was during the pastorates of Rev. Frederick Pilgram and Rev. Conrad Clever. These two pastors were followed by the Rev. C. S. Gerhard and Rev. J. H. Pannebecker. Rev. Gerhard's main work perhaps consisted in removing the remaining debt on the property and giving that tome to the church's name in the community which ranked it with the other congregations in the town. He deserved great credit for the faith and courage to ask the Board of Missions to declare the congregation self-sustaining. Dr. J. H. Pannebecker, who for many years was Treasurer of Lancaster Classis, had the longest ministry in the congregation – forty-three years. His long pastorate will long be remembered by the citizens of Columbia. Under his care the church grew, a new pipe organ was installed and the entire church property was remodeled. A historian back in 1904 said of this congregation: "The congregation of Columbia has grown into one of the strongest congregations", and Dr. Pannebecker adds, "That is God has made a way in the wilderness for the people which he formed for himself, and God help us that we set forth his praise by giving him the Glory." Dr. Pannebecker retired as pastor in 1929. He was succeeded by The Rev. Edward S. LaMar, who served for seven years and four months. Extensive repairs were made in 1930 which cost approximately $18,000. Rev. Mr. LaMar's pastorate ended January 1, 1937. The congregation remained without a minister until May 15, 1938. During this interval of 18 months the congregation was supplied mostly by students from the Theological Seminary. An effort was made to effect a union of the congregation with Salem Church, the former Lutheran Church with whom they worshipped back in 1804. However, the union was not achieved, and Clyde F. Straub, a graduate of the Seminary at Lancaster, who was supplying the congregation since January 1, 1938, was elected and installed as pastor, May 15, 1938. In the two and one-half years that Rev. Clyde Straub has been pastor the congregation has prospered. The church has received a new coat of paint, the debt has been reduced considerably, and the church is one of the leading congregations in Columbia. The pastors of Trinity Church have been the following: Henry B. Schaffner . . . . 1808-1840 Herman Bokum . . . . . . . 1844-1845 D. Y. Heisler. . . . . . . 1845-1850 W. Goodrich. . . . . . . . 1852-1852 C. C. Russel . . . . . . . 1854-1858 John Hoffmeier . . . . . . 1858- James S. Schultz . . . . . F. Pilgram . . . . . . . . -1873 Conrad Clever. . . . . . . 1873-1879 C. S. Gerhard. . . . . . . 1879-1883 J. H. Pannebecker. . . . . 1883-1929 Edward S. LaMar. . . . . . 1929-1937 Clyde F. Straub. . . . . . 1938-