CHAPTER X THE SESSIONS. OF PENNSYLVANIA CONFERENCE

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1 CHAPTER X THE SESSIONS. OF PENNSYLVANIA CONFERENCE Year and Place Held-Presiding Bishops-Presiding Elder~ Treasurers-Historians. As explained elsewhere in this volume, the early conferences were very informal. Many of them were held in private homes and were in the nature of house parties, the hosts bearing all the expenses. Until 1829 the conference of which Pennsylvania Conference is a continuation was known by various names: "The United Min~sters," "The Conference," "The Eastern Conference," "The Hagerstown Conference," "The Original Conference," etc. The General Conference of 1829 divided the original conference into the Harrisburg (now called Pennsylvania) Conference, and the Hagerstown (now called Virginia) Conference. From 1829 to 1901 the Western Maryland Churches were affiliated, first with Virginia, then with the Maryland Conferences. The Maryland Conference was merged wirh Pennsylvania Conference in 1901 by General Conference action. Without this merger, Pennsylvania Conference would have some difficulty in establishing its claim to continuity from the earliest known conference of the denomination. We see no reason why Virginia Conference should not be privileged to trace its beginnings as paralleling Pennsylvania. As Dr: Drury facetiously remarks: "A person entirely disinterested might say that the aritiquity wa_s split lengthwise." CONFERENCES AND OFFICERS Year Place Held Presiding Officers or Bishops Presiding Elders l789 Otterbein Church, Otterbein Baltimore 1791 John Spangler's Paradise Twshp, Otterbein York Co., Pa Peter Kemp's, Otterbein Geo. A. Fred'k Co., Md. and Boehm 1801 Peter Kemp's, Otterbein Geo. A. Fred'k Co., Md. and Boehm 1802 Cronise's, Otterbein Geo. A. Fred'k Co., Md. and Boehm 1803 David Snyder's, Otterbein Geo. A. Near Newville, Pa. and Boehm 1804 David Snyder's, Boehm C. Near Newville, Pa Jacob Baulus', Otterbein Middletown, Md. and Boehm Geo. A. (369) '

2 370 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA CONFERENCE Year Place Held Presiding Officers or Bishops Presiding Elders Lorenz Everhart's, Middletown, Md. Christian Herr's, Abraham Niswander's, Near Middletown, Virginia Christian Herr's, Andrew Kauffman's, Frederick Co., Md. Joseph Knegi's, Big Spring, 's Meeting House, Keedysville Christian Herr's, Hagerstown, Md. 's, Near Greencastle, Pa. David Long's ( 4 Miles West of Carlisle) Meeting House, Antietam Christian Hershey's, Boehm Boehm Grosh or Grosh and and Zeller 1819 Val. Doub's, Fred'k and Co., Md. (In the Zeller Peter Kemp home) 1820 Conrad Nicodemus' Washn. Co., Md Hagerstown 1822 Joseph Knegi' s, Big Spring, 1823 Cronise's, Fred'k Co., Md. and Hoffman c. Hershey c. Hershey Abraham Mayer Joseph Hoffman Jacob Baulus John Snyder Samuel Huber Abraham Mayer John Snyder C. Geo. A. C. Geo. A. C. or Geo. A. Christian Smith Jacob Baulus Jacob Baul us Jacob Baul us Jacob Baulus C. Jacob Baulus Geo., Jr. Samuel Huber A. Mayer John Neidig John Snyder A. Hershey John Kreider Abraham Mayer Geo., Jr.

3 CONFERENCES AND OFFICERS 371 Year Place Held Bishops Presiding Elders 1824 Pleasant Valley, and Washn. Co., Md. Hoffman (Near Rohrersville) 1825 Littlestown, Pa. and (May 1825) Kumler 1825 Chambersburg, Pa. and (Nov. 1825) Kumler 1826 Shopp's, and John Neidig Kum I er Samuel Huber David Baer 1827 Joseph Knegi's, and John Snyder Springfield, (Big Kumler Geo., Jr. Spring), Cumber- David Bae1 land Co., Pa Jerusalem Church, and John Snyder Near Myersville, Md. Kumler 1829 Antietam, 's Meeting House 1830 Shopp's, 1831 's, Cumb. Co., (Same place as 1803) 1832 Henry Herr's, Dauphin Cu., Pa Millerstown, Pa. (Annville) 1834 Greencastle, Pa Shopp's, 1836 Light's, (Now Salem) Lebanon, Pa Fetterhoff's, Franklin, Co., Pa. 's, (Wormleysburg) and Kumler Ezekiel Boring Ezekiel Boring Gideon Smith Ezekiel Boring James Neiman James Neiman David Runk James Neiman John Reider Samuel Hiestand Val. Hisge S. Huber H.Au John Winters Samuel Hiestand Samuel Hiestand John Snyder S. Huber John Sitman John Snyder S. Huber John Sitman Jo hn Hildt ]. G. Pfrimmer Gideon Smith Gideon Smith H. Spayth John Ecksteir{ Wm. Reinhart Wm. Scholde Wm. Reinhart Wm. Reinhart John Reider Jacob Snyder Wm. Reinhart Jacob Schneider Fred'k Gilbert Jacob Dinsman F. Gilbert George Miller D. Peifer ]. G. Snyder

4 372 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA CONFERENCE Year Place Held Bishops Presiding Elders 1839 Light's (Salem), Lebanon, Pa., Jacob Wenger S. Huber Casper Light Jacob Kessler 1840 Baltimore (Old Otterbein Church) ' John Fohl Jacob Kessler C. Peffley 1841 Rapho Schoolhouse, (Probably Elm Tree S. H. near Mt. Joy) John Fohl Martin Lohr 1842 Funk's Academy, Paul's Valley, Dauphin Co. John Fohl Casper Light ]. G. Snyder Philip Frey 1843 Fetterhoff's, Franklin Co., Pa Shopp's, 1845 Highspire, Pa Springville, Lancaster Co. (Florin) 1847 Hershey's Station (Near Carlisle) 1848 Littlestown, Pa Mowersville, 1850 York, Pa Jefferson, York Co., Pa Greencastle, Pa Littlestown, Pa Shopp's, 1855 Chambersburg, Pa Baltimore, Old Otterbein 1857 Salem, Franklin Co Zion Church, York County J. Glossbrenqer ]. Russell Wm. Hanby ]. Russell ]. Russell J. Russell John Russell Casper Light J o hn Russell Casper Light Christian Peffiey John Russell John Russell Geo. Miller John Russell Wm. Wagner J. C. Smith A. Owen J. Dickson A. Owen Martin Lohr T. Crider Jacob Rhinehart Philip Frey Simon Dressbach Henry Staub E. Hoffman Henry Staub Jacob C. Smith Jacob C. Smith Martin Lohr Jacob C. Smith Philip Frey S. Enterline Philip Fry J. Glossbrenner J. M. Bishop _ J. Glossbrenner J. Dickson W. Wagner ]. P. Bishop Z. A. Colestock J. Glossbrenner Z. A. Colestock S. Enterline

5 CONFERENCES AND OFFICERS 373 Year Place Held Bishops Presiding Elders 1859 Mechanicsburg, Pa. Z. A. Colestock 1860 York, Pa. (First Church) 1861 Chambersburg, Pa. ]. G. Schaff S. Enterline 1862 West Fairview, Pa. D. Edwards ]. Markwood Z. A. Colestock 1863 Greencastle, Pa. D. Edwards ]. W. Burd 1864 Mechanicsburg, Pa Baltimore, Scott Street 1866 Littlestown, Pa. l86i West Fairview, Pa York, Pa. (First Church) 1869 Chambersburg, Pa Newville, Pa Baltimore, Md. (Old Otterbein) 1872 Duncannon, Pa Shippensburg, Pa Mechanicsburg, Pa Littlestown, Pa Springville, Cumb. Co.-, Pa. (Boiling Springs) 1877 Baltimore, Salem Church 1878 York, Pa., First Church 1879 Chambersburg, Pa West Fairview, Pa. ]. Markwood ]. Markwood ]. Russell (Pro tern) ]. W. Burd ]. W. Burd ]. P. Bishop Z. A. Colestock ]. Weaver Z. A. Colestock ]. Weaver Z. A. Colestock ]. Weaver Z. A. Colestock ]. Weaver Z. A. Colestock D. Edwards Z. A. Colestock D. Edwards Z. A. Colestock D. Edwards Z. A. Colestock Z. A. Colestock J. H. Young J. H. Young ]. G. Schaff ]. G. Schaff ]. G. Schaff S. A. Mowers S. A. Mowers C. Snyder S. A. Mowers A. Rudisill ]. A. Sand ]. A. Sand T. R. Hutchison ]. A. Sand ]. R. Hutchison A. Rudisill ]. F. Nelker ]. R. Hutchison H. B. Schroder

6 374 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA CONFERENCE Year Place Held Bishops Presiding Elders 1881 Mt. Wolf, Pa Harrisburg, Memorial Church (Joint session with East Penna. Conf.) 1883 Chambersburg, Pa. (Joint session with East Penna. Conf.) 1884 York, First Church (Joint session with East Penna. Conf.) 1885 Lebanon, Trinity Ch. (Joint session with East Penna. Conf.) 1886 Harrisburg, J. Dickson Otterbein Church 1887 Greencastle, Pa. ]. Weaver W.]. Beamer L. Peters E. Light I. Baltzell W. ], Beamer E. Light E. Light I. Baltzell I. Baltzell E. Light A. H. Rice H. A. Schlichter H. A. Schlichter A. H. Rice ]. R. Hutchison ]. F. Nelker ]. P. Miller 1888 New Cumberland, Pa. E. B. Kephart A.. H. Rice ]. R. Hutchison H. A. Schlichter l889 Baltimore, Scott Street Church Chambersburg, Pa Mechanicsburg, Pa York, Second Church 1893 Harrisburg, Otterbein Church 1894 Shippensburg, Pa Dillsburg, Pa Carlisle, Pa Baltimore, Salem Church 1898 Dallastown, Pa. N. Castle ]. Weaver E. B. Kephart N. Castle E. B. Kephart ]. S. Mills N. Castle ]. W. Hott E. B. Kephart A. H. Rice H. A. Schlichter W.]. Beamer C. A. Burtner ]. P. Anthony C. A. Burtner ]. P. Anthony C. A. Burtner 7 months ]. L. Grimm 5 months J. P. Anthony ]. L. Grimm ]. P. Anthony ]. R. Hutchison W. H. Weaver W. H. Weaver W. H. Weaver

7 CONFERENCES AND OFFICERS 375- Year Place Held Bishops 1899 Shiremanstown, Pa. E. B. Kephart 1900 Boiling Springs, Pa. J. W. Hott 1901 Waynesboro, Pa. E. B. Kephart 1902 York, ]. S. Mills Third Church 1903 Chambersburg, Pa. ]. S. Mills 1904 Red Lion, Pa. ]. S. Mills 1905 Washington, D. C. J. S. Mills 1906 Baltimore, ]. S. Mills Otterbein Mem'l New Cumberland, Pa. J. S. Mills Trinity Church 1908 York, First Church J. S. Mills 1909 Carlisle, Pa. W. M. Bell Superintendents ]. L. Grimm ]. R. Hutchison A. R. Ayres W. H. Weaver ]. L. Grimm ]. R. Hutchison A. R. Ayres W. H. Weaver ]. L. Grimm ]. R. Hutchison A. R. Ayres W. H. Weaver ]. R. Hutchison: : 1910 Dallastown, Pa. W. M. Weekley ~ 1911 Baltimore, Otterbein Mem'l 1912 Frederick, Md. G. M. Mathews W. H. Washinger D. M. Oyer G. M. Mathews W. H. Washinger J. W. Owen D. M. Oyer 1913 Greencastle, Pa. W. M Weekley W. H. Washinger D. M. Oyer 1914 Mechanicsburg, Pa. W. M Weekley W. H. Washinger D. M. Oyer 1915 Baltimore, W. M Weekley W. H. Washinger D. M. Oyer Franklin Street 1916 Hagerstown, W. M Weekley W. H. Washinger D. M. Oyer St. Paul's (To July 1, 1917) 1917 Waynesboro, Pa. W. M. Bell A. B. Statton 1918 Hagerstown, St. Paul's 1919 Hanover, Pa Red Lion, Pa. W. M. Bell W. M. Bell W. M. Bell A. B. Statton A. B. Statton A. B. Statton

8 376 HISTORY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA CONFERENCE Year Place Held Bishops Superintendents 1921 Chambersburg, Pa. W. M. Bell 1922 Carlisle W. M. Bell 1923 Dallastown, Pa. W. M. Bell 1924 Wormleysburg, Pa. W. M. Bell 1925 Shippensburg, Pa. W. M. Bell A. B. Statton A. B. Statton A. B. Statton A. B. Statton (To July 1, 1925) C. E. Fultz 1926 New Cumberland, Pa. W. M. Bell C. E. Fultz 1927 York, Second Church 1928 Hagerstown, Grace Church 1929 Lemoyne, Pa Red Lion, Pa Carlisle, Pa Chambersburg, First Church 1933 Frederick, Md Hagerstown, Emmanuel Church 1935 York, Fourth Church 1936 Dallastown, Pa Mechanicsburg, Pa. W. M. Bell C. E. Fultz W. M. Bell C. E. Fultz G. D. Batdorf C. E. Fultz G. D. Batdorf C. E. Fultz Note: The last use of the term "Presiding Elder" was in the Conference Minutes of Since then our leading official, next to the bishop, has been designated as "Conference Superintendent." Note: Until 1837 all the conference minutes were written in the German language, also the minut.es of Until 1882 there were usually two secretaries, one English, the other German. In the joint sessions of Penna. and East Penn. Conferences, 1882, 83, 84, 85, there were two English secretaries. Since 1891 there have been two secretaries, one recording, the other statistical.

9 CONFERENCES AND OFFICERS 377 CONFERENCE TREASURERS Until 1904 the funds of the conference were handled by numerous treasurers. Each fund had its own treasurer; the Benevolent Fund Society, the Mutual Beneficial Society, the S. S. General Fund, the Branch Missionary Society (Not the W. M. A.), Bishop's Fund, Seminary Fund, etc. There was an official known as Conference Treasurer, but he had less money to handle than most of the other treasurers. Rev. J. S. Wentz served from 1870 to 1888; Rev. J. 0. Clippinger, ; Geo. A. Wolf, In 1904 the Rev. J. E. Kleffman was named Conference Treasurer and within a few years all the above funds were cared for by this official, inasmuch as it seemed best to have one treasurer, who was bonded. Dr. Kleffman served as treasurer until his death in 1926, since which time the Rev. George A. Heiss has served in that capacity. CONFERENCE HISTORIANS The General Conference of 1885 authorized the formation of a denominational Historical Society for the purpose of collecting and preserving information in connection with the rise and progress of the Church. Headquarters were established at Dayton, Ohio, in the Publishing House. In late years the headquarters have been in the Bonebrake Seminary Administration building.. In 1886 Pennsylvania Conference elected Jacob Hoke, a layman, the Corresponding Secretary of the Society, to represent our conference. He served until 1889 when the Rev. was made secretary, serving until Other secretaries have been: Rev. A. R. Ayres, ; Rev. J. W. Owen, ; Rev. Daniel Eberly, ; Rev. A. R. Ayres, ; Rev. Rudolph Byrd, ; Rev. Paul E. Holdcraft, Beginning with 1909 there also has been a historical committee. Some years ago a large safe was purchased by the conference for the safe storage of valuable documents and records. In 1936 the title of the "Corresponding Secretary of the Historical Society" was changed to "Conference Historian." Among others who have taken a great interest in preserving the history of Pennsylvania Conference were Rev. C. I. B. Brane, Rev., Rev. and Rev. W. H. Weaver.