Memorial Profile: The Families Memorialized in the Altar Area

Memorial Profile: The Families Memorialized in the Altar Area By Marcia Hahn (As part of our 275 th Anniversary celebration, we are featuring profiles of individuals memorialized throughout our church campus. This article features several families memorialized in the altar area.) If you ve had a chance to take one of our new guided tours, you ve likely heard a docent mention that our altar area has objects that have been around for over 200 years. We are blessed with many lasting legacies in this part of the church they span from the late 1800s to the 1990s. Please enjoy reading about the families behind these memorials. The Resurrection Painting Have you ever noticed that the eyes of Jesus in The Resurrection painting seem to follow you wherever you are in the church? That s how it s been since 1950 when this painting first appeared. The painting was part of an interior renovation project during Pastor Garrett s pastorate. While a large part of that renovation effort was the purchase and installation of a new organ, other significant improvements included painting the interior of the church, new carpet and pew cushions, repair of pews and kneelers, pulpit, lectern and reredos all elevated, and the addition of this beautiful altar painting of The Resurrection. 1

The brass plaque on the altar wall tells us this was in memory of Albert L. Brice by his wife Mamie B. Brice and that it was dedicated October 1, 1950. Current ELC member Sue Basford has distant family connections with the Brices and recently shared some of this information from her 94-year old aunt Lucille. Mrs. Brice was born in Frederick in 1889 to James and Zoierie Crum. She was raised on East Patrick Street and was a life-time member of ELC. She was a seamstress by profession and loved flowers and working in her yard. Albert was born in Pennsylvania and relocated to Frederick to take position as a draftsman with Frederick Iron and Steel, a prominent local business located in the northern part of the city. Mamie & Albert lived their entire married life on Mt. Olivet Boulevard. Albert died in 1944, Mamie lived until 1988. The Sanctuary Lamp Dedicated December 24, 1938, this lamp is in loving memory of the parents of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel T. Dutrow: Daniel W. Dutrow, 1838 1912; Rosanna W. Dutrow, 1849 1883; Edward F. Strohmann, 1844 1925; and Mary S. Strohmann, 1851 1920. Current ELC member Barbara Brittain recently shared the family history of her mother-in-law s family, the Dutrows. Daniel W. & Rosanna (Delaplaine) Dutrow lived in the Buckeystown area and owned a small business there. Rosanna died young in 1883 leaving 3 small children Daniel T., Nellie, and Theodosia. The sisters went to live with, and were raised by, separate aunts; Daniel T remained at home with his father. At age 16 Daniel headed west and began working cattle drives. This eventually led to a job with Swift and Company in Chicago, a leading business in the meat industry. Swift eventually brought him back to the DC area where he met and married Emma Strohmann. In 1929 (during the Depression) Daniel bought the local Frederick meat packing plant, known then as the Frederick Abbattoir. Under Dutrow s management, the business, now known as Frederick County Products, thrived and was considered one of the county s largest meat packing businesses until it closed in the late 1970s. Daniel and Emma raised two daughters, Margaret and Dorothy (Dot). Dot married Warner L. Brittain, known to all as Mike; Mike joined the Dutrow family business and eventually became the next generation of management. Mike and Dot raised 4 sons; son Daniel married Barbara. The Reredos Are you wondering what a reredos is? It is the lovely wooden structure behind the altar. Added around 1904, it was given in honor of David Brengle who died October 22, 1904. His bequest to the church was used to cover the $330 cost. Born in August 1845, David was one of several children of Lewis and Ann Rebecca (Carlton) Brengle. David never married. He lived on North Market Street and eventually entered what was likely the family shoe business. Altar Cross In the center of the altar and reredos stands a majestic cross. It was given in memory of Rebecca M. Zacharias, daughter of Horace C. and Tempie E. Zacharias, and granddaughter of Ann Rebecca Zacharias who is memorialized in one of our stained glass windows on the east side of the sanctuary. Rebecca was born August 25, 1891 and died at the young age of 8 on December 16, 1899. The cross was given in her memory in 1904 as part of the interior improvements of that time. The Zacharias were active members 2

and leaders at ELC, including the Sunday School, for several generations. They lived on East Third Street at the corner of Maxwell Alley; the building at one time became known as the Zacharias Apartments. Father Horace was a liveryman and owned stables in the Alley. The next time you drive down East Third, take a look at the roof of the two turrets. You ll see Horace s initials, H and Z still there in the shingles. Altar Vases The two brass altar vases are in memory of Michael Engelbrecht. Born February 14, 1792, Michael was one of 7 children of John Conrad and Anna Margaretha Engelbrecht. After living in Geneva, New York for about 25 years where he worked as a tailor, Michael returned to Frederick and worked with brother Jacob in the family tailoring business. Michael married Rebecca McMullen of Philadelphia in 1938 and had 2 daughters, Mary Ann & Rebecca, before his wife died in 1847. For many years the Engelbrechts lived on North Market Street next to what was then City Hall (now Brewer s Alley) in a home built by Michael in 1844. In 1874 the property was condemned to make room for Market Space. The Engelbrechts received $7000 for the condemnation. Michael lived out his years further north on Market Street at the home of one of his daughters. He died at the age of 95 on July 16, 1886. His obituary described him as one of Frederick s most respected citizens, a gentleman of the old school, endowed with a remarkable memory, well read on every subject, and an interesting and instructive conversationalist. He was also a musician, serving as a fifer in a volunteer Company during the War of 1812 and organized the Engelbrecht band in his early life, a band that entertained the community from the steeple of the old limestone Lutheran church on national holidays. He was a devoted member of the church, taking his turn as a deacon in 1840. Politically, he was known as a staunch Republican. He was also a member of the Independent Fire Company. The Two Candlesticks on the Altar The inscription on the base of each candlestick says In Loving Memory of Mr. & Mrs. John L. Haberkorn by their daughter Addie V. Haberkorn. These gifts were given in 1939. John and Emeline Haberkorn had at least six children. The family lived on West South Street. John worked in his later years for the B&O Railroad. John died in 1935, Emeline a year later in 1936. The Altar and the Pulpit In 1898 a significant renovation project was undertaken that included improvements to both the exterior and interior of the church. As part of the interior improvements, the most striking changes were those made in the chancel area. The platform was lowered and all its parts arranged similar to how we still see them today, with the pulpit on the right, the lectern on the left, and the massive altar at the rear wall of the recess with a wide open space in front approached with a series of most graceful steps leading from an extended opening in the middle of the chancel rail. An observer then stated the entire edifice with its improved condition has the appearance of a magnificent new church. The pulpit and the altar were provided as a memorial to the pastors of this church by the Cent-A-Week Society. A brass plaque found on the right side of the altar documents this memorial and includes the list of the 11 pastors that had served our congregation before that time. The Cent-A-Week Society was formed in 1850 as an auxiliary of the Sunday School, and all funds raised were used to support missionary 3

purposes. During the pastorate of Dr. Diehl, the focus was turned to more local purposes. It was also known as the Mite Society. The Lectern On the lectern, just below where the bible rests, the lay reader might catch a glimpse of rather small, understated nameplate simply showing the name Lewis Birely. It is referenced as a gift, not a memorial. Birely is a family name with rich Frederick history. Judging from the time this lectern first appeared, it is likely the Lewis Birely referenced here is Lewis Edward Birely, born in 1860 to parents George and Anna (Schley) Birely. The Birely family lived on East Patrick Street. Tanning was the family business for several generations. When their father died in 1873, an uncle in the Schley family ran the family tanning business until brothers Lewis and George were old enough in 1880 to form a partnership and purchase the business. They named it after their Dad George K. Birely and Sons. The brothers remained in business together until George s death in 1924, specializing in oak tan leather, especially adapted for harnesses. After George s death the business focus shifted to supplying leather and shoe findings to shoemakers. Family was obviously important to bachelor Lewis. His sister Fannie married William Delaplaine, founder of the Frederick News-Post. When William died suddenly in 1895, Lewis not only helped run that family business, but also helped to care for his widowed sister and her four sons. He eventually became President of the Great Southern Printing Company. Lewis was hailed as a man of sterling character whose reliability and financial acumen made him prominent in business circles. Lewis lived in the family home until his death in 1941. There was, however, another Lewis in this Birely family--grandfather Lewis A. Birely was also a prominent businessman and member of ELC during his time. He was known as one of the leaders of the cotton manufacturing industry in Frederick, being associated with Frederick Manufacturing Company. He was also the founder of the family tannery business. At ELC, he served alongside John Loats on the committee in charge of building the current sanctuary in the 1850s. So which Lewis is the one associated with the lectern? We ll likely never really know. Perhaps it was intentional that no middle initial was included so that both generations, Lewis E. and Lewis A. can be memorialized together. The Lectern Bible The newest memorial in the altar area sits atop the lectern. The current lectern bible was given in 1997 To the Glory of God and in memory of my loved ones by Helen M. Cummings. Helen was a faithful member of ELC for many decades and was a dedicated member of the Altar Guild, often helping with changing paraments, washing linens; a willing helper to all who asked. Born May 11, 1929 (Mother s Day), Helen lived her entire life in the Frederick area. Family roots date back to the 1700s. Helen raised 2 children, one died as a young child. Daughter Pat Sines described her Mom as having a wonderful heart. Outside of ELC Helen worked for many years as a cashier at Peoples Drug Store, later known as CVS. She was also active in the auxiliary at both Montevue and Citizens Nursing Homes. Helen died in August 2007. 4

The Candelabras On each side of the altar stand beautiful candelabras, each holding seven candles. One is in loving memory of Roger E. Young and Hattie M. Himbury Young. The other is in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver C. Warehime by their daughter, Dorothy Warehime Lewis. Roger E. Young was born on Christmas Day in 1871 to parents Robert and Kate Young. His May 24, 1974 christening is recorded in our parish records. Roger and Hattie married around 1896 and lived along Market Street their entire life. Census records show Roger having a number of occupations over the years such as barber, retail merchant, and eventually proprietor of a lunch and pool room. Roger died in 1934, Hattie lived until 1958. The Warehimes were one of the original residents of Rockwell Terrace when it was first created in the early 1900s. Oliver was born in 1859 to parents Oliver and Amanda (Wentz) Warehime. He was an 1881 graduate of Dickinson Seminary in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. A well respected member of the Frederick community, Oliver dealt initially in the coal and lumber businesses. He tried his hand at publishing when he purchased the Maryland Union and then later partnered with Dudley Page until 1891 when the paper was sold to Rev. George Diehl. (Diehl had also purchased the Frederick Examiner and later consolidated the two papers.) Oliver then turned to the life insurance field and was engaged in that business until 1901. He eventually became secretary of the Mutual Insurance Company. Oliver married Carrie Whipp in 1891; they raised one daughter. Missal Stand The inscription on the missal stand reads Mrs. Julia Marsh, April 5, 1925. This was a year before her death in June of 1926. Julia was married to George Marsh in March of 1872. They were farmers in the Feagaville area. They had no children. Following George s 1913 death, Julia moved to Frederick and lived on South Market Street. She died at the age of 72 at the home of her niece. One of the Alms Basins What is an Alms Basin? It is the large plate used to collect all the full offering plates for presentation at the altar. On one of these basins we find the inscription In memory of Henry W. Fromke by his wife Margaret E. Fromke. Henry was born in October 1844 to parents August and Sophia. His baptism in November of that year is recorded in our parish records. Margaret (Maggie) Babel married Henry in November 1874. They had at least one child Henry (Harry) born in 1878. The family business was shoemaking. Fromke & Sons had a shop on Market Street and all three generations August, Henry, and Harry worked in the family business. The Fromkes lived on East Patrick Street. Henry died in 1915; Maggie died in 1943 at the age of 92. Hymn Boards The two wooden hymn boards in use today are in memory of Annie Virginia Groshon, who died November 21, 1913. Annie was the daughter of George S. and Mary Groshon who are also memorialized in a stained glass window on the west side of the sanctuary. The family business was coal and cement. It appears Annie never married and lived her life in the family home on East Patrick Street. 5

Since parents George & Mary predeceased Annie, this memorial was likely presented by Annie s surviving siblings. The Processional Cross During festival Sundays this cross is used to lead the procession of choir, acolytes, assisting ministers and pastors. During the rest of the year, it stands as a sentry next to the pulpit. This cross was given in March 1974 as a memorial to Matthew David Basford, infant son of Dick and Sue Basford. Dick recently shared his memories of this memorial: We have always been glad that we chose the cross as a small memorial at the church, and it has always reminded us that Matthew has been a part of the life of our church for these many years. Prior to Matthew David's death in March, 1974, there was no processional cross in use, and when Pastor Reinberger suggested it as a small memorial, it seemed like a wonderful idea. Matthew David Basford was born Dec., 26, 1973. He was born with several severe birth defects, which at the time, could not be corrected. He lived only three months, but has lived within our hearts and in heaven since March 12, 1974. He will always be our little angel. So many gifts, so many families, so many lasting legacies. ELC is truly blessed with all of these gifts. May they all continue to be used to the glory of God for generations to come. 6