Church History: Zion Reformed Church, Lincoln, 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/
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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. 317-320

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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ZION REFORMED CHURCH, LINCOLN

Rev. David J. W. Noll, Pastor

On February 13, 1852, certain members of the Evangelical Lutheran and German 
Reformed churches met jointly at the house of John Hacker to consider the 
question of the joint erection of a house of worship in the village of New 
Ephrata, now Lincoln.  They agreed to build a church.  A lot was purchased, and 
the church building was erected.  Services of dedication were held in 1853.  The 
Rev. Daniel Hertz assumed the duties of the pastorate on June 12, 1853, serving 
faithfully until the day of his death -- April 12, 1862.

The organization of Zion congregation was fostered by Reformed people of 
Brickerville and Bethany congregation of Ephrata.  The original enrollment of 
nine members has increased to one hundred and sixty-one as of 1940.  In 1885, 
twenty-eight members were confirmed – the largest class in the history of the 
congregation.

In 1852, the Rev. William T. Gerhard succeeded the Rev. Daniel Hertz as pastor, 
serving until 1870, when he, in turn, was succeeded by the Rev. Stephen 
Schweitzer, during whose term of service the Zion congregation became part of 
the Reamstown Charge.  The Lutheran and Reformed groups worshipped jointly until 
the beginning of the twentieth century, covering a period of approximately 
eighty-seven years, when they resolved to separate, the Lutherans taking the 
name of Salem, and the Reformed, that of Zion.

The Zion congregation erected their separate building, which was dedicated on 
June 2, 1902.  This building houses a spacious sanctuary with appropriate pulpit 
furnishings and an ample auditorium for church school purposes.  In 1913, the 
entire building was renovated as a memorial to Mrs. Susan Romig and a beautiful 
baptismal font properly placed for sacred uses.  On April 17, 1914, the Rev. 
Stephen Schweitzer passed to his eternal reward after having served for nearly 
forty-four years.

This noble pastor was succeeded by his son, the Rev. Martin W. Schweitzer, 
Ph.D., in 1914.  Under his capable leadership, all auxiliaries worked 
effectively and the Church School was departmentalized.  With the help of the 
Carnegie Fund, a beautiful Austin organ was purchased.  The Wyke family made 
possible the spacious social hall in the basement, which was reverently set 
apart for sacred purposes.  In October, 1937, the Rev. Martin W. Schweitzer, 
Ph.D., died, after having served the congregation for nearly twenty-four years.  
The Rev. Stephen Schweitzer and his son served the Reformed people for nearly 
seventy consecutive years in the same vicinity – a monument in itself.

The Zion congregation at first belonged to the Reamstown Charge, then to the 
Muddy Creek Charge.  After the death of the Rev. Martin W. Schweitzer, Ph.D., 
the new (and present) Charge, the Lincoln Charge, was formed, including Zion, 
Lincoln, First, Ephrata, and St. Paul, Adamstown.

In September, 1938, the Rev. David J. W. Noll, became the pastor of the Lincoln 
Charge, and was installed by the Revs. Daniel G. Glass and Harvey M. Lyttle.  In 
1939, under the leadership of the new pastor and a committee consisting of Elder 
Milton Ulrich, Deacons Harry Wealand and Andrew Garber, together with Treasurer 
Agnew Kerchner, the entire property was improved and modernized.  The new 
building was opened for the Christmas program in 1939, and on Sunday, December 
31, dedicated with elaborate ceremonies.  The Willing Workers' Class presented a 
beautiful picture "Come Unto Me" for the chancel; Miss Marcella Schweitzer, a 
set of artistic altar vases of spun brass; Mr. S. L. Wissler, four solid brass 
offering plates, and Mr. and Mrs. Horace Zell, four spun aluminum bread plates 
for the Communion Service.  These gifts are of real spiritual and practical 
value.  The pastor and choir are fully vested and the liturgy is used in full.

Zion congregation has given the following sons to the ministry:  The Revs. T. J. 
Hacker, D.D., Martin W. Schweitzer, Ph.D., Stephen Flickinger, James Musser and 
Jacob Messner.

The present consistory consists of pastor Rev. David J. W. Noll; Elders, Samuel 
Hess, Milton Ulrich, A. S. Webber and Harry Wealand, together with Deacons S. L. 
Wissler, Andrew Garber, Irwin S. Messner and William Crowther.  Elder Eli Steffy 
and Deacon A. K. Hufford are serving as officers emeritus, and the treasurer is 
Agnew Kerschner.  The Messrs. Milton Ulrich and Paul Seachrist are active as 
Trustees.  Mrs. Annie Kerschner is the organist.