Two Hundredth Anniversary
Allentown United Methodist Church
Allentown, New Jersey
September 19, 2010
DEDICATION
To members from the year 1810 to the year 2010
Who have given to the Allentown Church,
Its church family, and the community.
In praise of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.
The committee for the 200th anniversary of the United Methodist Church of Allentown:
NancyWikoff,Chairman
MaryClark
DeniseErb
ClarenceFennimore
MaryJaneGerman
FrankHarris
ShirleyMayer
RobertPeppler
JoanWest
PastorGeorgeZigich
TABLEOFCONTENTS
Introduction......................................................................................................................1 HistoryoftheAllentownM.E.Church.....................................................................1 TheEraofProhibition....................................................................................................6 TheChurchBuildings.....................................................................................................6 RealPropertyoftheUnitedMethodistChurchofAllentown,NJ................8 TheOfficeConferenceCenter................................................................................9 TheMayerBuilding....................................................................................................9 Parsonages..................................................................................................................10 TheMethodistAcademyandOtherProperties..........................................10 TheMemorialWindowsoftheAllentownUnitedMethodistChurch....10 TheWillingWorkers....................................................................................................14 Woman’sHomeMissionarySocietyPresidents.........................................15 Women’sSocietyofChristianServicePresidents.....................................15 UnitedMethodistWomenPresidents.............................................................15 TheUnitedMethodistWomen................................................................................16 TheSundaySchool........................................................................................................17 YouthandYoungAdultActivities..........................................................................19 UnitedMethodistMen.................................................................................................21 ABriefHistoryofMusicintheChurch................................................................21 HistoryoftheAllentownCooperativeChristianPreschool.......................22 PreachersoftheAllentownMethodistChurch................................................23 NewBrunswickandTrenton:JerseyDistrict:............................................23 Trenton:.......................................................................................................................23 TrentonCircuit:........................................................................................................24 CrosswicksCircuit:..................................................................................................24 AllentownCircuit:....................................................................................................24 AllentownandSharon:..........................................................................................24 Allentown....................................................................................................................25 TotheFuture...................................................................................................................39 INTRODUCTION
Toeverythingthereisaseason,wrotetheancientpreacher,andatimetoeverypurposeunderthe
heaven.Inthosewordsistheabidingrhythmoftherollingseasons:thestatelymeasureofrurallifesincethe
dawnoftime.AtthestartofthenineteenthcenturyAllentownmovedtothatrhythmthroughaworldwhich
isnowalmostbeyondourcomprehension.Ofthetitanicsocialandscientificrevolutionswhichwouldshortly
shatterthatworldforever,therewasscarcelyasign.Ofourmodernworld,therewasscarcelyahint.
Thatoldworldtookitsreligionveryseriously,indeed,andplacedapropervalueonaproperpiousface.
Religion,afterall,providedaneternalsanctionforapeacefulandstablesocialorder.Ifitwereathingofthe
spirit,itwasthespiritofthehomeandthefireside.But,ifformostitwasatimeofquietpiety,forafewit
wasatimeofburningfaithandasearchforGod’sowntruth.
AmongthoseafirewiththespiritweretheMethodistcircuitriderswholeftthecomfortablelifetotravel
thebackroads,bringingtheWordtoallwhowouldhearit.Inawellregulatedworldsuchpeoplearerightly
seenasadisruptiveinfluence.Ittakesaparticularkindofheroismtofollowyourcallingandforsakethe
goodopinionofsociety.Ittakesanotherkindtostayathomeandfollowthatcallindailylife;therewere
heroinesinthatday,too.ConsiderthecaseofMrs.Cafferty.OnJune14,1809,thesessionoftheAllentown
PresbyterianChurchnotedthatshehadjoinedwiththeMethodists“withoutprivityofconsent”.Acommittee
wasappointedtolaybeforeher“theimproprietyandobliquityof(her)conduct”.Whatsuchsocialpressures
musthavemeantinasmallcommunitymayonlybeimagined.Still,ayearlater,thereweresufficient
“improper”personsofalikemindtosupportthepermanentestablishmentoftheAllentownMethodist
EpiscopalChurch.
Theyear1810hasnowslippedirrevocablyfromlivingmemory.Wereitnotforthelaborsofoneman,
muchofthestoryofthoseearlydaysmightbelost.In1897,asthechurchapproachedits90thanniversary,
theReverendShermanG.Pittwroteabriefhistoryincorporatingthememoriesofsomewhohadseenthe
firstdecadesofthechurch’sgrowth.Aspartofthe190thanniversarycelebration,wehavechosentoreprint
histextandmakeitavailabletoanewgeneration.Itisatoncethebasicsourceofourknowledgeofthat
periodandapieceofhistoryinitsownright—aprimeexampleof19thcenturyecclesiasticalprose.
Inthe21stcenturywehaveyettoseethesuccessorofShermanPitt;tocontinueourstorywemustrely
onfragmentsofmemory,bitsofmemorabiliaandsnippetsfromthepagesoftheAllentownMessenger.Ifour
storybecomesepisodicandatriflechaotic,perhaps,initsownway,itreflectsourcenturyasPittreflected
his.
HISTORYOFTHEALLENTOWNM.E.CHURCH
ThedatafromwhichtocompileahistoryoftheearlydaysofMethodismareverymeagre.Our
fatherswerelayingfoundationswhicharenowoutofsight,butwhichfirmlysupportthe
superstructurewhichhassincebeenreareduponthem.CircuitsthenwereaslargeasPresiding
Elders’Districtsnow,andasingleDistrictofthoseearlydayshassincebecomethreeannual
conferences.Itisnotstrangethereforethatdetailsarehardtofindrelativetotheearlyyearsofa
Methodistchurchthatwasorganizednearlyahundredyearsago.
Aformerhistorianofthischurch,writingfortheAllentownIndustryin1880,statesthatthe
firstMethodistsermonpreachedinthisvicinitywassometimebetween1790and1795byRev.
DavidW.Bartine.Butthefirsttimethatthispreachertraveledinthissectionwasin1796,whenhe
wasstationedontheTrentoncircuit.Ifhepreachedthefirstsermon,itprobablywasnotearlier
than1796.ButotherfactsleadmetobelievethatMethodistsermonswereheardherebeforethat
date.Onlyafewmilesfromhere,atMilford,livedJosephHutchinson,whoalthoughaBaptist,
welcomedtheitinerantpreachersathishome.HewasthegrandfatherofMrs.JohnH.Cubberly,
nowamemberofthischurch.Fourofhisnephews,‘‘Robert,Ezekiel,Sylvester,andAaron
Hutchinson,allfourofwhomafterwardbecameMethodistpreachers,wentovertoUncleJoseph’s
to‘havethesmall‐pox,’astheywereaccustomedtocallitintheoldentime,’"theycaughtit,forthey
wereallconvertedin1786.Theyoungestone,Aaron,begantotravelverysoonafterhis
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conversion,andthelastyearofhislife,1790,hewasappointedtoTrenton.Allofthesebrothers
preachedextensivelywhileathome,anditisnotunreasonabletobelievethatoneorallofthem
proclaimedthegospelheresonearhomebefore1790.Rev.Chas.E.Hill,whowasstationedat
Allentownin1852,statesthatWilliamFoster,mentionedlaterinthissketch,saidthatFrancis
Asburypreachedhere.Ifailedtofindanyrecordinhisjournalconfirmingthestatement,butthere
arefrequentreferencestohisbeingentertainedatJosephHutchinson’s,atMilford,andoneaccount
ofavisitto‘‘FatherLovell’s‘‘atCrosswicks.
InconnectionwiththesermonbyRev.DavidW.Bartine,mentionedabove,oneinteresting
incidentisrelatedwhichIquoteasfollows:SusanRobbins,afterwardsSchuyler,heardthesermon.
Shewasthenasmallgirl.HerfatherwasaFriend,butheconsentedforhertogo,buthesenther
underthefollowinginstruction.‘Susan,iftheegoestothemeeting,theemustdojustastheydo,’
andfaithfullydidshefollowtheprogram.Shestoodupwiththemwhentheysang,kneeleddown
whentheyprayed,andwhenthePreacherarosetopreach,shestoodupalso.”Wemayaddshe
continuedtodoastheydidbybecomingalife‐longMethodist.Theplacewherethissermonwas
preachedwasinadwelling,theresidenceofMr.FredericMiller,whosegoodwifesaidinGerman
accentstothemanlookingforaplace,“Preachhere.”Thathousestoodonthesitenowoccupiedby
theresidenceofDr.Willenborn.
MethodistpreachersafterwardsoccupiedtheEpiscopalChurch,whichstoodneartheold
tanyard,nowthepropertyofMr.WilsonWright.Thedrivewaytothechurchdoorbecamethe
drivewaytothelowerhotelandisnowLakeviewDrive.
Therewasnoregularpreachinguntiltheorganizationofthechurchin1810.InthisyearJohn
Dickson,JohnImlay,Jr.,SamuelLanning,AnthonyBorden,EdwardPage,andSamuelRobbins,were
organizedintoabodyaccordingtolaw.AboutthattimeachurchwasbuiltwheretheAfricanM.E.
Churchnowstands,andserviceswereregularlyheld.WenoticeespeciallythenameofEdward
Page.Hewasatthattimea“youngman,anexhorter,andaschoolteacher.Heenteredtheministry
andwasmanyyearsintheregularwork.HewasalsooneoftheorganizersofthefirstTemperance
societyformedinthisplace.”Hisdaughter,stillliving,iswellknowntoAllentownpeople,asAunt
Phil.Southwick.”
“Rev.CharlesPitman,offameasanorator,andofpreciousmemoryasaChristianman,
preachedhisfirstsermoninthishouse,afterhereceivedhisappointmentbythePresidingElder.
OnhiswaytotheplacehestoppedhishorsenearwhereMr.AsherBorden’s(nowJames
Hutchinson’s)groveis,tiedhim,andwentintothewoodstopray.Hecamefromthat‘calmand
sureretreat,’allonfireforhisholymission,andpreachedwithgreatpower.’’
ThischurchwasthenontheTrentoncircuit,whichincluded“Trenton,Bordentown,
Jacobstown,Crosswicks,Waln’sMills,Allentown,Sharon,Milford,Perrines,Brunswick,Vanhises,
Bethel,Princeton,Tidds,HopewellandFidlers.’’
Prominentnamesoftheearlyyearsarementioned,anddatesoftheirelectiongivenasfollows
March29th,1813,JohnHughes;December30,1816,JosephImlay,RobertImlay,DanielHankins
andJamesR.Freeman.JosephHugheswasthefather‐in‐lawofHon.EnochKnowlesandRev.
EdwardPage.’’OnFeb.9th,1821,Wm.Cafferty,JohnHutch,(orClutch),Wm.FosterandDaniel
Billswereelectedtofillvacancies.March22nd,1828,CharlesBeatty,SamuelCafferty,Charles
BrittonandLeviBurdwereelected,andin1832theboardwascomposedofWm.Foster,Charles
Beatty,SamuelCafferty,LeviBurd,CharlesBritton,AsherHankinson,andIsaacRogers.Wm.Foster
wasanordainedlocalpreacherandheldinmuchesteem.Hewasablacksmithbytrade.Mr.Isaac
Rogerslearnedthetradeofhim,andmarriedhisdaughter.CharlesBeattywasthefatherofWm.
Beatty,’’nowamemberofthechurch.“In1838,thetrusteeswereAsherHankinson,LeviBurd,
CharlesH.Britton,SamuelPulling,IsaacRogers,JohnMcCabeandWm.I.Brown.In1841Anthony
W.KennedywaselectedtofillavacancycausedbythedeathofLeviBurd.SamuelPullingand
AsherHankinsonresignedin1848,andWm.C.RockhillandWm.Buntingwereelected.”Wm.C.
RockhillwasthefatherofMrs.AddieH.Beatty,nowamemberofthechurch.Wm.Buntingwasthe
fatherofDavidM.Bunting.
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OtherswhohaveservedastrusteesareRobertW.Miller,DavidBailey,ReddingLeming,JohnH.
Cubberly,JosephStackhouse,JoshuaN.Carr,Wm.C.Beatty,ThomasVanderbeckandDennisM.
Jones.ThepresentboardiscomposedofEdmundEvernham,JohnsonLutes,RandallR.Ford,Wm.
R.Savidge,Wm.A.Burk,Wm.R.Forsyth,EdwardI.Bills,HillisC.JonesandGarretV.Dennis.
About1832,thechurchwasremovedfromitsfirstsitetoitspresentlocation.In1859,when
thepresentedificewasbuilt,theoldchurchwasmovedoffandmadeintothedoubledwelling‐
housenowoccupiedbyMr.JamesGordonandMr.JosephMessler.Itwasfirstoccupiedin1860,by
Mr.CharlesHutchinsoninthesouthend,andRev.LeviHerrinthenorthend.Itservedforsome
timeastheparsonage.
ThecontractforthenewchurchwasgiventoMessrs.EliasB.andBenjaminRogers,onJuly
14th,1859.Atthattimethetimberswereallinthelogs,butinthirty‐onedaysitwasallframed
andraised.ThecontractspecifiedthatthebasementwastobedonebytheNewYear,butitwas
readyDecember1st.ItalsocalledfortheupperroomtobecompletebyApril1st,1860,butitwas
doneanddedicatedonFebruary20th.TwoofthepreachersonthatoccasionwereRev.George
BatchelderandRev.IsaacW.Wiley,afterwardsBishop.
Thesafetyofthesteeplehassometimesbeencalledinquestion,andtheBoardofTrustees
orderedittobetakendownbyJan.1st,1885.AgaininFebruary,1896,theydecideditshouldbe
removed,butinspiteofdecisionsandcyclonesitstandssafeyet.(Thesteeplewasfinallyremoved
onFebruary24,1913).
OnAugust31st,1891,thefirststepsweretakentowardtherenovationoftheaudienceroom.
AcommitteewasappointedconsistingofWm.C.Beatty,RandallR.Ford,andDanielL.Savidge.As
aresultoftheirplansandworkcarriedonbyMr.WilliamKilley,wehavethepresentcheeryplace
ofworship.
Atonetimelotswerepurchasedoppositethechurchfortheerectionofaparsonage,butonthe
8thofOctober,1852,whenRev.CharlesE.Hillwaspastor,thetrusteesdecidedtobuildthereona
houseforSunday‐school,prayermeetings,etc.“Abuildingcommitteewasappointedwith
instructionstoproceedimmediately.Partofsaidbuildingwasusedforaschoolhousetil1856,
whenitwassoldwiththelotadjoining.”ThebuildingisnowthedwellinghouseownedbyMr.
AlbertWest,andoccupiedbyMr.EdwardDilatush.
OnJune4thofthesameyearahousewaspurchasedforaparsonageonChurchStreet.Itwas
helduntil1859,whenthepropertybeingheavilyencumbered,“apublicmeetingwascalled,church
andcongregationinvited,atwhichitwasresolvedtoselltheparsonage.Itwasofferedatpublic
saleandpurchasedbythepresentownerandoccupant,Mr.DanielL.Savidge.”
InJuly,1866,ahousewaspurchasedonMainStreetandoccupiedasparsonageuntilthespring
of1886,althoughithadbeensoldtoitspresentowner,Mr.SamuelThompson,inSeptember,1884.
MeanwhilethetrusteeshadpurchasedforacemeteryfiveacresoflandonHamiltonandBroad
Streets,ofMr.JosiahBorden.Thisisasplendidlocation,thoroughlydry,andisnownicelylaidout
inlots.Itisnothowever,toberegardedasadenominationalground.Theremovalofthebodies
fromtheoldcemeteryaboutthechurchoccasionedthedelayinerectinganewparsonageafterthe
saleoftheoldone.
However,onJan.9th,1885,itwasdecided‘‘tobuildduringthecomingyear,’’andMessrs.
EdmundEvernham,WilliamRobbinsandDanielL.Savidge,wereconstitutedthebuilding
committee.Mr.JoshuaN.Carrtookthecontract,andthehouseerectedisregardedasoneofthe
handsomestinthetown,andseldomexcelledasaparsonagebyanycountrychurch.Therestill
remainsadebtof$900onthishouse.Thechurchandparsonagewiththelargelawnandgarden
makeavaluableproperty.
Inalltheireffortsfortheimprovementandfurnishingofbothchurchandparsonagethe
brethrenhavebeenablyassistedbythedevotedwomenofthechurch.Amongtheelectladiesof
theearlydayswereSusanSchuyler,theMissesBillsandtheMissesRobbins.Asearlyas“1841,
SusanThorne,JaneR.Bills,BeulahRobbins,HannahMcCabe,andClementineS.Brown,formeda
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sewingcircle,andwiththeaidofotherfemalesofthechurch,andfriendsofthesociety,heldafair
atwhichtheysecuredasumsufficienttomakeseveralpurchases.Astatementoftheexpenditures
isasfollows:‘Theypaidseventy‐fivedollarsonthechurchdebt,boughtatableforfifteendollars,a
platedcommunionsetfortwenty‐fourdollars,tableclothfortwodollars,twospittoonsforone
dollarandtwelveandahalfcents,cushionforthebibleonedollar,pitcherandbowlsforseventy‐
fivecents,fortheuseofthechurch.’”Fromthattimetheladieshaveworkedtogether,their
organizationnowbeingknownasthe“MiteSociety.”Howevertheircontributionsarenosmall
mitesasweshouldrealizeiftheamountstheyhavehandledforthechurchcouldbeestimated.
SomeoftheprominentMethodistfamiliesoftheearlierdaysareJohnBorden,JosephHughes,
JohnHughes,IsaacImley,RobertMiller,AsherHankinson,JohnMcCabe,Wm.IBrown,Charles
Britton,CharlesBeatty,DanielBills,Wm.Cafferty,Sr.,SamuelCafferty,JohnRulon,andIsaac
Rogers.Amongtheexhortersandlocalpreacherswhousedtodoeffectiveserviceonthecircuit,
wholivedhereandnear‐by,wereWm.Foster,DavidBowman,DanielBowman,JohnDixon,James
McCabe,SamuelChambers,EnochKnowles,Dr.Armour,CharlesDippolt,BloomfieldKirkpatrick,
IsraelPierce,VincentMessler,J.Slocum,IsaacChapman,JosephAsay,JacobFoulkes,andAllen
Thompson.Thoseholdingexhorter’slicensesinthechurchtodayareMr.FrancisMessler,Jay
Messler,andWm.Brown.
WhenAllentownandSharonbecameastation,in1852,therewereonlytwoonthischarge,
RobertN.Miller,andWilliamI.Brown.Bro.Hill,thepastor,appointedthefollowingtofilloutthe
Board:AnthonyW.Kennedy,JohnMcCabe,JohnH.Cubberly,Wm.Foster,JoshuaM.Beatty.Others
whohaveheldthisofficeareJ.H.Rulon,Wm.C.Beatty,Wm.Ruse,IsaacRogers,D.Singleton,and
Thos.Vanderbeck,Mrs.JohnsonLutes,Mrs.DavidM.Bunting,Mrs.A.A.Jones,Mrs.AnnaRobbins
andJohnSteward.ThepresentBoardofStewardsiscomposedofthefollowingEdmund
Evernham,whohasservedcontinuouslysinceJune23,1860;JohnsonLutes,RandallR.Ford,Wm.
R.Forsyth,Wm.A.Burk,DennisM.Jones,Wm.R.Savidge,Geo.V.Leming,HowardD.Bunting,
JosephMessler,JohnSteward,AlbertH.West,ThomasPattersonandGeo.E.Hunt.
TheSabbath‐SchoolwaslongpresidedoverbyMr.IsaacRogers,andathisdeathMr.Wm.R.
Savidgewaselectedandstillholdstheoffice.
TheEpworthLeaguewasorganizedbyRev.W.A.Lilley,thecharter,No.10.471bearingdateof
June21st,1893.Thereisamembershipofabouteighty.ThepresidentshavebeenRev.W.A.
Lilley,Rev.S.G.Pitt,andAlfredR.Bradley,nowinofficeforthesecondyear.Thisorganizationisa
greathelptothechurch.
TheJuniorLeaguewasalsoorganizedbyRev.W.A.Lilley,thecharter,No.3621,bearingdateof
April24th,1895.TheSuperintendentshavebeenMrs.A.A.Jones,AddieFord,ElizaSavidge(now
Ford),Mrs.JosephMessler,andRev.S.G.Pitt.
Inthespringof1853,atthecloseofBro.Hill’spastorateandthefirstyearoftheAllentown
station,therewereinthesociety140membersand48probationers.Thenetgainofthechurch
sincethattimehasnotbeenlargealthoughtherehavebeensomelargeandpreciousrevivals.
LargeadditionsweremadeunderthepastoratesofBros.Stanger,Tullis,Green,Provost,Gaskilland
Pitt.Thepresentmembershipis230,andfourprobationers.
ThepastoralsupporthasrunthroughallthestagescommontoMethodistchurchesintheir
variousperiodsofgrowth.BrotherHill’sestimatewasonehundreddollarsforhimself,one
hundreddollarsforhiswife,sixdollarsperyearforeachofhistwochildren,andonehundredand
eighteendollarsfortableandfuelexpenses.Thencametheestimateofacertainsumanda“giving
visit.”Thenthesalarywasalargerfixedsumwithnoprovisionfora“givingvisit.”Nowthesalary
is$800.Thegivingvisitshavenotceasedbyanymeans,asthepastorscanalltestify,thoughthey
arenotoftheoldtype.Thetotalamountcontributedsince1852forministerialsupport,including
ConferenceClaimants,PresidingElders,BishopsandPastors,isabout$28,000.Theofferings
duringthesameperiodforthevariousbenevolencesamounttoabout$5,000.
ThischargewasfirstontheJerseyDistrictofthePhiladelphiaConference.In1823,NewJersey
wasdividedintotwodistricts,andthisbelongedtotheEastJerseyDistrict.April12th,1837,the
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NewJerseyConferencewasformed,includingallofNewJersey,andthiswasapartoftheTrenton
District.In1857,theNewJerseyConferencewasdivided,thatpartoftheStatelyingnorthofthe
RaritanRiverbeingknownastheNewarkConference,whilethesouthernpartretainedthenameof
theNewJerseyConference.In1860AllentownwasputontheBurlingtonDistrictandsoremained
until1867,whenitagainbecamepartoftheTrentonDistrict,andsoremains.
Allentownhassuccessivelybelongedtothe“NewBrunswickandTrenton,”and“Trenton”
charges,“TrentonCircuit,”“CrosswicksCircuit,”“AllentownCircuit,”“AllentownandSharon,”and
the“Allentown”charge.
Althoughthechurchwasnotorganizeduntil1810,doubtlesstherewasfrequentpreachingby
themenwhorodetheTrentonCircuit.Nodoubttheseregionshaveresoundedtotheshoutsof
suchmenasDavidW.Bartine,JohnMcCloskey,SolomonSharp,Jos.Osborn,GamalielBailey,
ThomasWare,SamuelBudd,DanielHigby,WilliamBishop,WilliamMcLenahan,PeterP.Sandford,
WilliamFox,JacobHevener,BenjaminAbbott,LorenzoDow,JacobGruber,andFreebornGarretson.
Ourjourneyinfaithcontinuesfromthe190thcelebrationintothefirst10yearsofthe21st
century.Thiscenturyseesanemphasisonglobalsocietycompletewithinstantcommunication
andarapidlychangingAmericansociety.WefindMethodisminAllen’sTowninatimeof
transition.TheworldtrendtowardsMethodisminAfricaandSouthAmericaiscounteredbythe
Americantrendtowardlowermembershipandlowerattendanceinourchurches.
AllentownMethodistsarechallengedtomaintainthedrivingspiritofthecircuitridersofthe
1700’sandtousethetenetsofJohnWesleytofacethiscenturywithfaithanddetermination.
PlanssetforthbyourchurchfamilyareaimedatrevitalizingthespiritofWesleyintoday’snew
globalworldandinourvillage.OurvillagehasbeenservedbyourChristianfaithforover300
yearsandbyourMethodistChurchfor200years.
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THEERAOFPROHIBITION
FromJanuary16,1920,toDecember5,1933,thesaleandmanufactureofalcoholicbeverageswas
officiallyprohibitedinthe48UnitedStatesandits’territories.TheUnitedMethodistandBaptistchurches
wereleadersintheProhibitionMovementandtheycontinuedtobeitsforemostapologistthroughoutthe
twentiesandbeyond.Asthetideofhistorybegantoturnagainstthemovement,someremainedsublimely
convincedofitsbrightpromise.In1928,theReverendAlbertF.Morris,ofAllentown,proclaimedthat“Avery
largeshare”oftheCoolidgeprosperitywasduetoProhibition.“Thereisonepassengerautomobiletoevery
1¼families;andoneradiosettoeveryfivehomesinourcountry.Collegeshavedoubledtheirattendancein
fouryearsandschoolsofeverykindarefulltooverflowing.”Aspastorofaruralchurch,hewasalsogladto
notea45%increaseinmilksales.
Todaywearemorelikelytoseethedarksideofamovementwhichunintentionallyglamorizedliquor
andturnedhalfagenerationintoscoff‐laws.HerbertHoovercalledProhibitionagreatsocialexperiment;
someexperimentsfail.Thisonedidandwithitwentmuchofthechurch’sbeliefinlegislativesolutionsto
moralproblems.Todaytherelianceisonindividualself‐disciplinetoachievethechurch’s“idealsof
excellenceofmind,purityofbodyandresponsiblesocialbehavior”.
THECHURCHBUILDINGS
Thechurchappearstobeafixedstageonwhichthepassinggenerationsplayouttheirallottedroles.But
ithasnotbeenimmunetochangesintasteandstyleortothesocialandeconomicforceswhichhaveaffected
Allentownsince1859.Wehavenopictureofthesanctuaryintheveryearlydays,thoughafewsurviving
pewsshowthatitwasanausteremeetingplaceofseriousnotewhichindicatesthatthesestaidoldwallshad
aflamboyantandcolorfulyouth.“ThemainaudienceroomoftheMEchurchnowrepresentsamarked
changethroughitsrecentpaintingandredecoration.Thewholeoftheoldpaperingwasentirelyremoved
andoilcolorshavebeenusedinthenewwork.Theceilingisfinishedinthreeshadesofivory,withpearl
predominatinginthecenterpieceandtheornamentalcornersofthepanels.Thesidewallsandthepanelsare
allinshadesofpalegreen.Thewoodenarchandcolumnsofthepulpitareapaleashes‐of‐rosestintwith
touchesofgiltinthemouldingandcarvedwork.Averyfineeffecthasbeenobtainedattherearoftheniche,
whichrepresentssunkenpanelwork.Averynoticeablechangeisthatoftheoakgrainedpews,wainscoting
andblinds.”
Otherchangesweremadein1909.‘Thealtarrailandpulpithavebeenmovedseveralfeetoutwardsand
thelocationoftheorganhaschangedfromthecornertotherearofthepulpit.Thispositionwillgiveamuch
betterpositionforthechoirwhichwillhereafteroccupythespacebetweenthepulpitandtheorgan.”
Theoutsideofthebuildinghaschangedaswell.ReverendPittnotedthatthesteeplehadbeenjudged
unsafeasearlyas1885.February27,1913,theMessengerreported,“onMonday…thesteeplewhichhas
pointedheaven‐wardsfromtheroofoftheM.E.Churchforover50yearswasremoved”.Ithadbegunto
pointrathermoretowardtheneighboringLonghomethanheavenwards.Sawnofftwelvefeetfromthe
point,itwastoppledoverintothestreetandcartedaway.Amongthespectatorswereoneoftheoriginal
buildersandthemanwhohadmadetheweathervanenearly60yearsearlier.
Inthe1980’stheBoardofTrusteeslookedintoputtinganewsteepleup.However,aftermuch
discussiontheydecidedtojusthavethecupolawithweathervaneasthehighestpointofthechurch.
Restorationworkwasdoneonthecupolaatthattime.ThechurchsteeplewaslightedbyMaryTheoharis
Clarkin1988inmemoryofhermotherEvaMelindaTheoharisandChrisStanleyTheoharis.
In1914thesanctuarywasagainredecoratedandthistimeinawaywhichwouldmakeitfamiliarto
today’smembers.IntheissueofNovember19th,1914,theMessengerdescribedthechanges.“Themetal
ceilingisallonanddecoratedandthememorialwindowshaveallbeenputin.Withthepaintersnowhardat
workonthesidewalls,woodwork,etc.,theputtingdownofthenewfloorandthenewseats,carpetand
pulpitfurniture,thepastorandthecongregationwillhaveachurchtobeproudof.”
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OnSunday,January17,1915,thechurchreopenedafter3monthsofrenovation.Thenewmetalceiling
wasfinishedinbuffcolordecoratedwithbrown,also.Thewoodworkoverthepulpitandintherearofthe
churchwasfinishedinwhitewithgoldleaftrim.
BesidestheMemorialWindows,whicharedescribedelsewhere,thefollowingMemorialsweregiven:
AlargepulpitchairbyE.AugustBeekmanandDeborahR.MillerinmemoryofRobertW.
andCatherineA.Miller.
TwosidechairsbyMrs.MaryEverhamandMissBelindaEverham.OneinmemoryofRev.
C.F.Garrison,formerpastor,andtheotherinmemoryofhiswife,SusanH.Garrison.
PulpitandtwoaltarchairsbyMrs.MatildaLutesinmemoryofherhusbandJohnsonLutes.
CommunionTablebyMrs.EvernhaminmemoryofherhusbandEdmundEvernham.
HymnBoardbyBelindaEvernham.
IndividualCommunionServicebyMrs.ThomasH.EvernhaminmemoryofherbrotherRev.
NathanielR.Foster.
PulpitHymnalbyMrs.LindaBeatty.
TheMessengerofJanuary21,1915,describedthededicationservicesasfollows:
“Totalcostofimprovementsamountedtoabout$2,500which,withtheexceptionof$325,wasraisedby
subscriptionandthroughthepersistenteffortsoftheLadiesWorkingBand,togetherwiththe"Allentown
DramaticAssociation.”Atthemorningservicethedebtwasreducedto$114.Afemalequartetcomposedof
MissAnnaLeming,Mrs.NathanielCafferty,Mrs.EvansFord,andMrs.WalterChamberlainsang.Mrs.Evans
FordplayedthepipeorganintheabsenceofMrs.W.R.Savidge,whowasabsentbecauseofhermother’s
death.”
“IntheeveningthePresbyterianandBaptistcongregationsjoinedinthecelebrationwiththeirrespective
pastors,Rev.MathesonandRev.Newell.MissesJennieLaird,AugustaCafferty,MarionCaffertyandEttaM.
Grahamactedasushers.The$114balancewas‘readilygivenbytheunioncongregation’freeingthechurch
ofdebt.“PraiseGodfromWhomAllBlessingsFlow”wassungattheconclusionoftheservice.”
OnMemorialDay1917,theMen’sBibleClassspenttheforenooninstallingcitywaterinthechurch.With
the20thcenturywellandtrulyarrivedattheMethodistChurch,thepaceofchangeslowedandbecameless
newsworthyuntil1959.
Somehavecalledthe1950’stheeraofthe“edificecomplex”withinthechurch.Allentown,asmanyother
communities,wasexperiencingarapidgrowthinmembershipinthechurchandSundaySchool.Bythemid‐
fiftiesitwasobviousthataneducationalbuildingmustbeprovidedforaSundaySchoolpopulationof150
thatseverelystrainedtheexistingfacilities.
InJanuaryof1956,theOfficialBoarddiscussedthepurchaseoftheneighboring3/4acreparcel
belongingtoSeringThompson(laterpurchased),andanExpansionCommitteewasestablishedchairedby
LeonBlack.OthermembersofthecommitteewereHarryWilliamsSr.,NelsonWilbur,WilliamMannering,
ElvinKirby,JamesHomer,andGordonPoinsett.
AttheJuly3meetingtheBoardauthorizedtheExpansionCommitteetorequestthatMr.WilliamDuble,
architect,drawuppreliminaryplansforabuilding.Nofeewasinvolved,butMr.Dublewouldbethearchitect
iftheplanswereconsideredfeasibleatafeeof6%ofthecontract.ByOct,2,1956,theExpansionCommittee
presentedplansforanaddition,costingapproximately$50,000.AmeetingwassetforOct.8for
congregationalapproval.
Sometimeinthespringof1957,aBuildingFundCampaignwasapproved.Mr.WilliamH.Matthews,Jr.,
ofDepartmentofFinanceandFieldServiceoftheBoardofMissions(NationalDivision)oftheUnited
MethodistChurch,wasemployedtoconductthecampaign.OnJuly2,1957,Mr.HarryWilliams,Sr.,Building
FundChairman,reportedpledgesof$42,741(ofwhich$37,600wasreceivedbyMay1960).InNovemberthe
OfficialBoardapproved,signingacontractwithMr.Dubleasarchitectandabeginningtimeofspring1959
wassetforconstruction,withcompletionbythefollowingspring.
~7~
Threebidswerereceived,HarryWilliams,Jr.,$47,549,W.R.Hancock,$51,016andEmlinHutchinson&
Bro.$54,745.AtaspecialQuarterlyConferenceauthorizedbytheReverendF.ElwoodPerkins,District
Superintendent,heldJune24,1959,theBuildingCommitteerecommendedacceptanceoftheHarryWilliams,
Jr.bid.Itwasapprovedunanimouslybythoseattending:PastorJohnMerwin,Mrs.EdwardMount,William
Forney,Mr.&Mrs.GeorgeParry,Mrs.EleanorSherrand,Mrs.CharlesBook,AllenTaylor,DonaldPeppler,
JamesHomer,Mr.&Mrs.GordonPoinsett,LeonBlack,NelsonWilbur,CharlesBurtisandF.EstherMessler.
TheBuildingCommitteewasauthorizedtospendupto$60,000forthecontract,contingencies,architectfees,
andequipment(laterthisamountwasincreased).
ConstructionbeganinJuly1959,onehundredyearstothemonth,fromthebuildingofthesanctuary.
ThebuildingwascompletedforconsecrationonSunday,May15,1960,atthetimeofthe150thanniversary.
AreportontheBuildingFundinApril1960,byTreasurerDonaldW.Peppler,indicatedreceiptsof
$69,002.77($37,602.77inpledgesandcontributionsand$31,400borrowedfromFarmer’sNationalBank),
withexpensesof$68,886.10(thisincluded$2,500towardthe$10,500costofThompsonpropertyand
$12,419stoneandblacktoppingtheparkinglot).
AsecondfinancialcampaignwasheldinJuly1960,byRev.LeonBlackman,oftheDepartmentofFinance
andFieldService,withagoalof$35,000topayoffthedebt.Therewere340membersontherollatthetime,
60membersoftheWoman’sSocietyofChristianService,30MethodistMen,12JuniorHighand12Senior
HighM.Y.F.members.Averageattendanceforworshipwasreportedas145andSundaySchoolwas140.The
churchbudgetwas$24,261,dividedbetweencurrentexpenses$12,261,benevolence$2,000,andbuilding
fund$10,000.
ThemortgageburninganddedicationwasheldonSunday,April19,1964.Participatingclergywere,
PastorEarlSnyder,Rev.GeorgePropert,DistrictSuperintendent,andtheformerpastors,TheReverendsJohn
Merwin,PaulGreiner,andEdmundCarlisle.MembersofthechurchparticipatingwereHalRunner,Lay
Leader;NelsonWilbur,PresidentoftheTrustees,LeonBlack,ChairmanofBuildingCommittee;MissF.Esther
Messler,Organist;andMrs.RuthPoinsett,Pianist.
Threememorialswerealsodedicatedforuseinthechurch:twobrassfloorcandelabrasgiveninmemory
ofElvinKirbybyfamilyandfriends,aKnabegrandpianogivenbyMr.&Mrs.HaroldBlack,andthe
communiondisplaycenterinthevestibulegiveninmemoryofMr.&Mrs.CharlesSchisler,Sr.,bythefamily.
Theeducationalbuildinghasbeenagreatassettotheministryofteachinginthechurchandtothe
community.IthasbeenusedbyCubandGirlScoutgroups,TheGardenClub,CampFireGirls,Community
Chorus,theAllentownCooperativeChristianPreschool,andbythepublicschoolsystemfortwoyears.
AfiresetbyanarsonistinthePalmerRoom,Thursday,September17,1981,destroyedmostofthe
furnishingsintheroomandcausedover$15,000insmokedamagethroughoutthebuilding.Thefirewas
discoveredabout7:00A.M.byaneighborpassingthroughtheparkinglot.Firemenarrivedwithinminutesof
thealarmandputoutthesmolderingfireinthefurniturethathadbeenpiledinthecenteroftheroom.
Smokewassothickthatfiremencouldnotseethefrontofthesanctuaryfromtherearwhentheywent
upstairs.Incredibly,theFarmer’sRelianceInsuranceCo.anditsagent,CharlesA.Rue,hadtheircontractor,
AssociatedRestorationServices,Inc.outforaninspectionthatafternoonandacleaningcrewonthejob
Fridaymorningcleaninganddeodorizingsothatthecongregationwasabletoworshipinthesanctuary
Sundaymorning.Ittookabouttwoweekstocompleteallthecleaningandpainting.
REALPROPERTYOFTHEUNITEDMETHODISTCHURCHOFALLENTOWN,
NJ
Thechurchisachurchofindividualseachwithhisowntalentsandinterests.Itistotheparticular
interestsandtalentsofJosephJ.Truncerthatweowethefollowinghistoricalnotes.
Overthepast175yearstheMethodistChurchinAllentown,NewJersey,hasbeeninvolvedinmanyreal
estatetransactions.ThefirstonewasApril1,1810,whentheTrusteesgotalotonPaineStreetofJohnImlay,
wherethey“shallerectahouseofworship”.Thestreetisnownamed“ChurchStreet”andthelotisnow
occupiedbytheAfricanMethodistChurch.Thechurchwaserectedsoonthereafter,forwhentheTrusteeson
~8~
April14,1814,soldtherearpartofthelottoaneighbor;thedeedidentifieditas“—thelotlyinginthe
suburbsofAllenTown—wheretheMeetingHousenowstands.”
OnApril4,1833,theTrusteesboughtfromGeorgeSinclairthelotwherethechurchnowstandsat21‐23
ChurchStreet;ourpresentchurchwasconstructedatacostof$5,000in1859‐1860.Althoughthelot
measuredonly141’x119’thelandaroundthechurchwasusedasagraveyardforseveraldecades.After
landforthepresentcemetery,locatedatBroadandHamiltonStreets,waspurchasedonMarch9,1880,the
remainsofthoseburiednearthechurchwereremovedtothenewsite.Thisfreedthelandsothatthe
presentparsonagecouldbebuiltnexttothechurchin1885.
TheOfficialBoardofthechurchrecognizedinJanuary1956,thataneducationalbuildingandoff‐street
parkingwereneededifthechurchwastogrow.AtthattimeanExpansionCommitteewasestablishedto
studytheproblemandtomakerecommendations.TheCommitteeproceededtonegotiatefortheThompson
propertycontaining1.44acresoflandbesidetheparsonageandtotherearofthechurch,andtoretainan
architecttopreparepreliminaryplansfortheadditiontothechurch.Inordertoexpeditethelandpurchase,
sevenmembersoftheChurchformedalimitedpartnershipcalledChurchEnterprises,Limited.Thepartners
donatedatotalof$2,500whichmadeitpossibletobuytheThompsonpropertyfor$10,500andtoholdit
untilthechurchwasreadytoacceptit.Deeds:May9,1959.Deeds:June1,1962.
TheeducationbuildingattachedtotherearofthechurchwasconstructedanddedicatedApril5,1960.
THEOFFICECONFERENCECENTER
In1991anofficeconferencecenterwasbuiltbesidetheeducationalbuildingandchurch.Acovered
walkwayconnectstheofficeswiththemainbuilding.ThearchitectwasWilliamA.Edwards,Jr.Workwas
donebyReeceConstructionCompany.Thecostofconstructionwas$120,065.05.Muchofthecostof
constructionwascoveredbyabequestthechurchreceivedfromtheestateofElvaPeppler.
Donationsweremadetohelpwiththebuildingprojectandthefurnishingsforthecomplex.Thedonors
arelistedbelow:

EldaBlack–deskinhonorofHaroldG.Black

Melinda(Clark)andGeoffreyBrown–Surveyandengineering

MyrtaDennis–donationinmemoryofJ.WesleyDennis

Ruth(Poinsett)andEliFirth–officefurnishings

JoanandWilliamPatterson–donationinmemoryoftheirparents;MamieandWilliamPattersonand
MildredandVictorMueller

MargaretRockhill–furnitureforthecomplexinmemoryofherhusbandEdwardRockhill

PaulineHorner–inhonorofJamesHorner

RandalandJoanStraub–donationinmemoryofMarieWisely

ThomasandPatriciaRaynor–donation

UnitedMethodistWomen–donationinmemoryofdeceasedWorkers.
THEMAYERBUILDING
ThenewestbuildingontheAllentownUnitedMethodistChurchpropertywasconstructedin2005after
manymonthsofdiscussion,planning,andaccommodatingthevarious“powersthatbe”withintheBorough
tohavethepropersize,placementandappearanceandhaveeverything“uptocode”.Itwasdecidedtobuild
thestoragefacilitytosupportourannualchurchbazaar.Forseveraldecadesnowwehavebeenhostingthis
auction/craft/baking/book/whiteelephantsale.Justabouteveryoneassociatedwiththechurchcontributes
insomewaytowardsasuccessfulday,reunitinguswithfriendsfromthecommunityandbeyond,in
fellowship,andanactiveexchangeoffoodandgoods.Asourreputationgrew,theneedforstoragewas
~9~
acknowledgedsincewegottothepointwherethepastors’personalspacewascompromisedseveralweeks
inadvanceofthebazaar.Wenowhaveadequatestorageforthemanydonationsthatcomeourway
throughouttheyear,andthelocationofthebuildingallowsforamuchsafereventbyplacingourguestsat
thebackendofthechurchparkinglotinsteadofinthedrivewayattheentrancetothechurch.
Thisbuildinghasbeenaverygoodadditiontoourproperty,anditwasdecidedthatsuchafineaddition
deservedaname…
Itwasfurthernotedthattherearetwoamonguswhohavebeendedicatedstewardstoourchurchand
congregationformany,manyyears,makingcountlesscontributionstomanyareaswithinandaroundthe
church,aswellasthesuccessoftheannualbazaar.Thenamebestoweduponournewstructurewas“The
MayerBuilding”.NotonlywasShirleyinstrumentalintheorganizationofourveryfirstbazaar,andevery
singleonesince,Mileshasservedasourresidenthandyman,andhisimprovementstoourfacilitycanbeseen
throughoutthechurch.Plus,itwasthroughthecountlesshoursofresearchandworkthatShirleyputinas
thePresidentoftheTrusteesthatultimatelypavedthewayforthecompletionofthebuilding.Foratime,the
redtapeShirleyencounteredseemedinsurmountable,butshepersevered,andthebuildingcametofruition.
Itwastohonorthesetwo,whoseguidanceinourliveshasbeenphysical,vocalandeducationalintheir
specialspiritualway.Weareproudofournewestbuilding,anditwasfittingtonameitafterShirleyand
MilesMayer.
PARSONAGES
TheAllentownMethodistChurchdidnotneedaparsonagepriorto1852becauseitwaspartofaCircuit
servedbytravelingministers.AfterAllentownwasassignedaministerin1852,theTrusteespurchasedthe
houseat39ChurchStreetfromEnochCaffertyfor$925.Thispropertywassoldin1857for$1,337.(For
financialreasons).
IfyouhadbeenwalkingonPaineStreet,originallycalledGumBootStreetandnowknownasChurch
Street,duringtheCivilWaryouwouldseethenewMethodistChurchbuiltin1860.Thechurchwas
surroundedbyacemeteryandwasimpressivewithitstallsteepleandstainedglasswindows.
TheChurchofficialslaterdecidedtobuildaparsonageonthewesterlysideofthechurchandlandwas
purchasedattheintersectionofHamiltonandChurchStreets(39ChurchStreet).In1866ahousepurchased
at43NorthMainStreetbecamethehomeofthenewministerWilliamMargerum(1866‐68).
ThepresentMethodistparsonagebuiltin1886isahandsomeVictorianstructureoffourbedrooms,two
sittingrooms,diningroom,kitchenandbaths.
OnSeptember4,1866,theTrusteesboughtthehouseandlotat42NorthMainStreetforaparsonage.
Thispropertywassoldafterthepresentparsonagenexttothechurchwasreadyforuse.
THEMETHODISTACADEMYANDOTHERPROPERTIES
OnJanuary1,1851,thechurchboughtalotfromGeorgeRobbinsat24ChurchStreet,andexactlyone
yearlaterboughttheadjoininglotat26ChurchStreetofAbelCafferty.TheAcademywasbuiltonthe
Robbins’lot,butevidentlyitwasnotafinancialsuccessasitwassoldMarch31,1857for$531.TheChurch
soldtheAbelCaffertylottoDavidC.RulononApril,1869,for$181.
OnSeptember18,1812,theTrusteesoftheMethodistChurchofSharon,purchasedfromIsaacImlay,for
$21,alotonthewestsideofOldYorkRoadwheretheybuiltameetinghouseandestablishedacemetery.
Thischurchwasabandonedbefore1947,sotheSouthernNewJerseyConferencesoldthebuildingtoFrank
Taylor,whousedittobuildhishomeonExtonvilleRoad.Thecemeterystilloccupiesthechurchlot,soitwas
conveyedtotheMethodistChurchofAllentown,August6,1966.
THEMEMORIALWINDOWSOFTHEALLENTOWNUNITEDMETHODIST
CHURCH
~10~
ThefollowinginformationwascollectedbyPastorDavidWilsonfromavarietyofsources:A
conversationwithMr.andMrs.NelsonWilbur,membersofthechurchsince1914,churchrecords,andthe
AllentownMessenger,especiallytheJanuary21,1915issue.Thedescriptionofthewindowsbeginsatthe
rearleftandproceedsclock‐wisearoundthechurch.
InMemoryofMissMaryApplegate
GivenbytheLadiesWorkingBand
TheonlyinformationavailablefromtherecordsindicatedthatMissMaryApplegatewasrecordedasa
member(nodategiven)whodiedinMay1902,ClaraMaeWilburrecallsonlyhername.Shelived,according
toClaraMae,inthesmallhouseonthesouthsideofthepresentPresbyterianmanse.
InHonorofRev.HenryB.White
InHonorofGussieM.White
GivenbyMrs.MaryEvernhamandMissBelindaEvernham
Rev.HenryB.WhitewaspastoratAllentownfrom1914‐1917.Heisnotedfortwoaccomplishments.
First,thecompleterenovationofthechurch,includingthemetalceiling,hardwoodfloor,stainedglass
windows,pewsandpulpitfurniturewhicharestillinuse.Theworkwascompletedforadedicationservice
onJanuary17,1915.ThesecondaccomplishmentwastheorganizationofaBibleClass.TheAllentown
MessengerofThursday,February3,1916,carriedthestoryofaBibleClassbeingorganizedtheprevious
ThursdaywiththehelpofsixmenandthepastorfromtheMEChurchofPalmyra.About30men,“withan
equalnumberoftheoppositesex”werepresent.“Nearly50memberssignedcards,andthemembership
committeeexpectstohustletomaketheclassaveryimportantbodyofthechurch.”Officerswereelectedfor
sixmonths.Theywere“President,GeorgeWilbur,VicePresident,A.C.Errickson,Secretary,WilliamB.
Mannering,Treasurer,G.V.Lemming…Rev.H.B.White,Teacher.”TheclassmetSundayafternoonsat2:30
P.M.
NothingisavailableinthechurchrecordsaboutRev.White’swife,Gussie,butitmaybeassumedthatthe
pastorandhisfamilyweremuchlovedandhonored.Aquickcheckoftherecordbookof1915‐1965reveals
that45newmemberswereaddedtotherollsbyRev.White.
InHonorofLeitaBerniceWhite
andCharlesHenryWhite
GivenbyRev.HenryB.White
Twosmallwindowsinthenarrowalcovebehindthepulpitwereremovedin1960whentheeducational
buildingwasaddedandthealcovedeepenedforthechoir.
AccordingtotheJanuary21,1915AllentownMessengertheyweregivenbyRev.White“oneinhonorof
hisdaughterLeitaBernice,andoneinhonorofhissonCharlesHenry.”The175thAnniversaryCommittee
intendstoplacethesetwowindowssomewhereinthechurchwithbacklighting.ClarenceFennimore,
presentLayLeader,isrestoringthem.(Therestorationwascompleted,andthesewindowswereenclosedin
aframewithlightingbehindthemandnowareonthestairwaylandingscominguptothesanctuary).
InHonorofMaryEllenJohnson
InHonorofBeatriceM.&RobertT.Johnson
GivenbyMrs.HarrisP.Johnson
MaryEllenJohnsonwasbornMaryEllenTams,thedaughteroftheTamswhoestablishedtheGreenwood
PotteryinTrenton.Shehadthreebrothersandtwosisters.TheylivedonGreenwoodAvenueinTrenton.
~11~
HerfatherwasagoodfriendofDr.HarrisP.Johnson,acountrydoctorinAllentown.Dr.Johnson,bornJune
9,1855,graduatedfromJeffersonMedicalCollegeinPhiladelphia.AlthoughMaryEllenwas20yearsyounger
thanDr.Johnson,Mr.TamsthoughttheywouldbeagoodmatchandtheyweremarriedonJune18,1901.
MaryEllenlovedgoodmusicandplayedthepianowell.Theylivedat98S.MainStreet,Allentown.
Dr.andMrs.Johnsonhadtwochildren,BeatriceMontgomeryJohnson,bornAugust5,1902andRobert
TamsJohnson,bornJuly15,1905.OnDecember1,1907Mrs.JohnsonwasbaptizedintheAllentown
MethodistEpiscopalChurchandreceivedintoprobationarymembershipundertheministryofRev,E.A.
Robinson.Dr.JohnsonwasamemberoftheAllentownBaptistChurch.OnJune14,1908,Beatriceand
RobertwerebaptizedbyRev.Robinson.Aftercompletingtheprobationarymembershipperiod,MaryEllen
wasreceivedintofullmembershiponSeptember4,1908;eitherunderPastorRobinsonorWilliamStone(the
recordisunclear).Thechildren,BeatriceandRobert,grewupinAllentownandbothwerereceivedintofull
membershiponOctober18,1914,whenHenryB.Whitewaspastor.
Dr.JohnsondiedonJanuary21,1920athissister’shomeinPennsylvaniaafteranillnesslastingseveral
months.Peoplesaidheworehimselfoutcaringfortheinfluenzavictimsthatyear.Amonument“erectedasa
fondtributeofesteembyhismanyfriendsandadmirers”standsinfrontoftheformerBaptistChurchonS.
MainStreet.Themonumentreads,“1855‐1920‐SacredtothelovingmemoryofDr.H.P.Johnson,anhonored
citizenandfaithfulphysicianofthiscommunitywhoseentirelifeofself‐sacrificewasdevotedtokindlydeeds
ofmercy.”
AfterDr.Johnson’sdeath,thefamilymovedtoTrenton.The1915‐1965churchrecordbookindicates
thatMrs.Johnsondiedin1954.RobertJohnsonwas“removed(frommembership)withoutcertificate”(no
daterecorded).BeatriceJohnsonmarriedHarryWilliamsandtheypurchasedtheJohnsonfamilyhomeat98
S.MainStreetinAllentown.HarryWilliamstransferredfromtheFirstMethodistChurchofTrentontothe
AllentownMethodistChurchJune6,1926.Bothwereactivelyinvolvedintheministryofthechurchuntil
theirdeaths,HarryonSeptember8,1970andBeatriceonFebruary9,1974.Theyaresurvivedbyason,
HarryH.Williams,Jr.whowasthecontractorforthechurcheducationalbuildingin1959‐60andadaughter,
MaryEllenWilliamswhoservedasaBaptistmissionaryinBurmaforsixyears,tookadegreeatHartford
TheologicalSeminary,andmarriedRev.DonaldEastridgewhonowteachesatNortheasternUniversity.
InMemoryofCharlesT.Jones
InHonorofAliceA.Jones
GivenbyA.A.Jones
The1879‐1915churchrecordsbookgiveslittleinformationontheJonesfamily.Charles’namewas
transferredfromthepreviousbook(whichismisplacedormissing)sohehadbeenamemberbefore1879.
Theonlyinformationgivenis“DeceasedMay7,1887.Hediedhappy.”
Alicewasreceivedintothechurchafewmonthsafterherhusband’sdeath,January15,1888,byletter
fromthePresbyterianChurch.The1915‐1965recordlistsheras“deceased”butgivesnodate.
ClaraMaeWilburrememberedher.“EverybodyknewherasAuntAlice.ShehadacandystorewhereEva
Theoharisnowlives(4S.MainStreet,Allentown).Shewasalittlelady.Shehadthestoreatleast75yearsago.
Wewenttheretogetourpennycandy.AuntAlicehadawonderfuldisposition.She’dletyoustandthereall
thetimetopickyourcandy.”
InMemoryofEdwardR.Totten
InHonorofKyleH.Totten
GivenbyColemanTotten
TherecordsshowthatEdwardwasreceivedintofullmembershipJune30,1901fromprobationary
membership.Thebookrecordinghisbaptismislostormisplaced.Hemusthavebeen15yearsofage,forhe
diedatage25,tenyearslater.“Deceasedbyaccidentwithgun,February6,1911,verysuddenandsadly”,
~12~
recordsthepastor,C.F.Garrison.ThebriefaccountintheAllentownMessengerismoregraphic,“Edward
Totten,sonofColemanTotten,waskilledapparentlywhenhisgundischargedaccidentallyonMonday,
February6,1911.Hewas25yearsold.Mrs.Totten(neeChamberlainofLawrenceville)foundherhusband
withhisheadnearlyblownoffbehindthebarn.”HewasafarmerandownedlandwhereSharonCountryClub
isnowlocated,buthisdeathisintheHornerstowncolumninthepaper.ItisalsobelievedthattheTottens
ownedthepotatoefarmthatisnowthelocationofFourSeasonsUpperFreehold.
LillianL.ChamberlainwasbaptizedOctober20,1907byPastorE.A.Robinson.Iassumethiswashiswife.
KyleH.Tottenwastheirson.ThereisnomentionofKyleintherecordsandnofurtherentryregardingLillian
Totten.JamesColemanTotten(thefatherofBerniceTottenVanKirk,whoispresentlyourlocallibrarian)
wasoneofEdward’sbrothers.Mrs.VanKirksaidthatKyleworkedfortheNJStateDeptofTransportation
andlivedintheFlemington,NJarea.
InMemoryofFrancisMessler
InHonorofHarrietE.Messler
GivenbyMr.&Mrs.NathanielCaffertyanddaughter,Marion
TherecordsrevealthatbothHarrietandherhusband,Francis,werereceivedintomembershipMay1,
1877bycertificate(nograntingchurchisgiven).Francismusthavebeenveryactive.Heismentionedasa
Trusteeina1904AllentownMessengerarticleon“MethodistsofAllentown”(April7,1904).Therecords
showhewasatrusteein1908also.Hewasaclassleader(nodate)andwaslistedasalocalpreacherfrom
1907‐12whenthelicensewasnotrenewed.Noreasonisgiven;perhapshishealthwaspoor,forhediedApril
27,1914.HarrietdiedJanuary29,1915.
ClaraMaeWilburrememberstheirdaughterKateMesslerCafferty.“Theirgranddaughter,I’msure,was
MarionCafferty.Shetaughtmemusic.SomepeoplewillrememberKateCaffertyandherhusbandNat.They
livedinalittlehouseonHamiltonStreet.TheyhadanicecreamstoreonChurchStreetwhereArtBurrisnow
hashisnewspaperstore.ThechildrenallcalledhimNattie(hisnamewasNathaniel).Iusedtoalwaysgetice
creamfreeofcharge.I’dgoinwithmylittlenickelandsitupatthecounterandaskforanicecreamcone.
He’dgivemeaconeandI’dofferhimmynickel,andhe’dsay‘Oh,no,no.Thisisforyou.’And,ofcourse,being
verypolite—becausemothertaughtmenevertoaskforanything‐Iusedtobeghimtotakemynickel
hopinghewouldn’t.”
PresentedbyTheSundaySchool
and
PresentedbyTheJuniorEpworthLeague
ThesetwowindowsarelocatedinthefrontofourchurchfacingChurchStreet
“WehadaveryactiveJuniorLeague,”saidClaraMaeWilbur,“whenwewereintermediateage.”The
JuniorLeaguewascomposedofagroupofchildrenwhowenttothechurchafterschoolonedayaweekand
receivedBibleinstruction.EttaSpragueGraham’smother,Mrs.MerrillSprague,andClaraMae’smotherwere
theteachers.“Welearnedthe10CommandmentsandBeatitudes.WelearnedthefundamentalsoftheBible.”
TheEpworthLeague,whichwasprimarilyolderyouth,meteverySundaynightatthechurch.Mrs.
WilburrememberstheJuniorLeagueandtheEpworthLeagueasseparateorganizations,buttheyprobably
seemedsobecausetheywerefordifferentagesandmetatdifferenttimes,muchlikeaJuniorHighandSenior
HighYouthFellowshipmightbetoday.Inthe“AroundHome”columnoftheJune1,1911,Allentown
Messengerthe18thanniversaryoftheEpworthLeagueisnoted.’‘ThisChapter(Allentown)No.10471was
organizedin1893.”ItalsonotesthatGeorgeW.WilburpresidedattheSundaynightanniversarymeeting
and“theofficersofthesixdepartmentsoftheLeaguespokeveryearnestlyofthedutiesanddesiresoftheir
departments.”
~13~
THEWILLINGWORKERS
ReverendPittmentionsthe“MiteSociety,”anassociationofchurchwomenactiveinhisday.Inthis
centurytheirplacewaspartiallytakenbytheWillingWorkersoneofwhosemembers,Mrs.RuthL.Creed,
preparedthefollowinghistory.
OnApril17,1922aSundaySchoolclassofsixteenyoungwomenmetattheparsonagewithteacher,Mrs.
EmmaPalmer.Mrs.PalmerwasthedaughterofoneMethodistministerandthemotherofanother.Theyoung
womenwishedtobeofservicetotheirchurchandsoformedtheWillingWorkers.Theychoseastheirmotto
“Everythingtohelp,nothingtohinder”andpickedLavenderandOldGoldastheircolorsandappointeda
FlowerCommitteetocallonsickmembersofthechurch.Theonlysurvivingmemberofthatfirstclassis
AnnaM.Schisler.
InOctoberof1922,theystartedafundtoputelectricityintheparsonage;Mrs.Palmergaveeachmember
25astalentmoneytobeincreasedanywaythememberwished.WheninFebruaryof1923themembers
handedintheirmoneythereceiptstotaled$339.15.
BeginningDecemberof1922,theypaidtheparsonagetelephonebillandcontinueddoingsoforthenext
45years.
BetweenJanuaryof1934andSeptemberof1968,theWillingWorkersassumedresponsibilityforpaying
theChurch’sapportionmentoftheDistrictSuperintendent’ssalary.
TheFlowerCommitteewasactivefromthebeginningandistodaystillresponsibleforseeingtheflowers
areinthechurcheachSunday.
Overtheyearsthegrouphascontributedfurniture,rugs,linoleum,hardwoodfloorsandsteps,agas
stoveandrefrigeratorfortheparsonage.
TheWillingWorkers,formanyyears,tookresponsibilityfortheWhiteGiftServiceontheSundaybefore
Christmas.
April24,1982,theWillingWorkershadchargeofplansforthe“OpenHouse”forMr.LeonBlackwhowas
celebratinghis100thbirthday.
ItwastheWillingWorkersideatohaveabazaarinNovemberof1970,sothatwewouldhavemoney
availableforthingsthatwemightwantandwhichcouldnotbepaidforfromtheChurch’sbudget.Wehada
profitof$1,800fromthebazaarandtookresponsibilityforthosebazaarsheldinthenextfiveyears.
~14~
ThefollowingaresomeofthewaystheWillingWorkershaveearnedmoneyforthechurch:
FoodandBakeSales
RummageSales
BazaarheldinthechurchinDecemberintheearlyyears
SuppersonceamonthfortheLion’sClub(1951‐1968)andtwoBoyScoutdinners
Thesellingofvanilla,knivesanddishcloths
In1941andagainin1942theWillingWorkersputondinnersforthe“railroadmen”oftheMasonic
LodgeattheCrescentTempleinTrenton.Thisearnedmoneyforthenewlightsputinthesanctuaryin1942.
Mrs.PalmerentertainedherclassatdinnereveryyearduringtheChristmasseasonandtheWilling
Workersboughtthebrasscrossinthesanctuaryinhermemory.EveryJune,theWillingWorkersandtheir
husbandshadapicnicwithMrs.Palmeratherhome.
TheWillingWorkerscontributed$25yearlyfrom1938‐1956totheHarvestHomeFund(thenthechurch
discontinuedhavingaHarvestHome).
TheWillingWorkersupondisbandinggavetheirmoneytothegeneralfundofthechurch.Purchases
weremadeasneededintheeducationalbuilding.
WOMAN’SHOMEMISSIONARYSOCIETYPRESIDENTS
1919‐‐1927
1927‐‐1934
1934‐‐1940
Mrs.ThomasEvernham
Mrs.A.C.Palmer
Mrs.S.K.Homer
WOMEN’SSOCIETYOFCHRISTIANSERVICEPRESIDENTS
1940‐‐1945
1945‐‐1947
1947‐‐1949
1949‐‐1951
1951‐‐1953
1953‐‐1954
1954‐‐1956
1956‐‐1958
1958‐‐1961
1961‐‐1962
1962‐‐1964
1964‐‐1967
1967‐‐1969
1969‐‐1971
1971‐‐1973
Mrs.SamuelHorner
Mrs.JamesGraham
Mrs.DonaldPeppler
Mrs.CharlesEdson
Mrs.WilburPeppler
MissBettyAnnSnyder
Mrs.GeorgeParry
Mrs.NelsonParks
Mrs.HarryBaker
Mrs.FrankBohn
Mrs.DanielPittman
Mrs.GeorgeTantum
Mrs.BernardGiehl
Mrs.GeorgeParry
MissF.EstherMessler
UNITEDMETHODISTWOMENPRESIDENTS
1974‐‐1977
1978‐‐1979
1980‐‐1981
1982‐‐1983
1984‐‐1985
1986‐‐1987
1988‐‐1990
1991‐‐1994
Mrs.EdwardRockhill
Mrs.DavidPoinsett
Mrs.EdwardRockhill
Mrs.HowardScarborough
Mrs.EliFirth
Mrs.BernardGiehl
Mrs.EdwardRockhill
Mrs.DavidPoinsett
~15~
1995–1997
1998–2004
2004–2010
Mrs.EdwardRockhill
Mrs.WilliamMetterhouse
Mrs.LindaWatson
THEUNITEDMETHODISTWOMEN
RuthFirthpreparedthefollowinghistoryoftheAllentownUnitedMethodistWomen:
OnMarch16,1919,amissionarymeetingpresidedoverbyMrs.M.E.SnyderofTrenton,washeldatthe
homeofMrs.EdwinWalker.AtthistimeMissCarrieBarge,anationalworker,addressedthemeetingtelling
ofunbelievablysadconditionsinourcountry.Theoutcomeofthismeetingwastheorganizationofthe
Woman’sHomeMissionarySocietyoftheMethodistChurch.Mrs.ThomasEvernhamwaselectedPresident
andheldthisofficefor8years.Mrs.W.E.ManneringwasRecordingSecretary.
Themonthlymeetingswereheldinvariousmembers’homeswithanoccasionalmeetinginthebasement
ofthechurch.Rev.VanDwightwasministeratthistimeandusuallyattendedthemeetings.Infact,most
ministersduringtheearlyyearsofthesocietyattendedregularlyandtookanactivepart.
Attendancewastakenateachmeetingwithmembersrespondingwithaverseofscriptureorrecounting
ofaparticularblessing.ALiteraryCommitteewasappointedtoarrangeeachmonthlyprogramwhich
consistedofprayers,singingandreadingsonspecialmissiontopics.Specialmusicwasoftenenjoyedthrough
thetalentsofAnneSchisler,F.EstherMessler,andMrs.AlbertRobbins.
Collectionsaveraged$1to$2permeeting.Thebudgetfor1923‐24was$164.45.Often,someofthe
moneywasusedforchurchprojectssuchasre‐caningthechoirchairsandbuyingnewshadesfortheSunday
Schoolrooms.Moneywasraisedthroughsemi‐annualmiteboxofferingsinNovemberandMayatwhich
timeaneveningmeetingwouldbeheldinthechurchwithaspeakerorspecialprogram.
In1923theAllentownSocietytiedwithOceanCityforfirstplaceintheStandardofExcellencecategory
andAllentowngraciouslyallowedOceanCitytohavetheflagforthatyearasAllentownhadalreadyhaditin
1922.
TherehasalwaysbeenafeelingofgoodwillamongthevariouschurchesinAllentown.DuringtheJune
1923meeting,theBaptistMissionaryCirclewasholdingtheirregularmeetingandpicnicatthehomeofMrs.
FrankHarrisnearourmeetingplaceatMrs.AlbertWest’sandamessageofgreetingandgoodwillwassent
tothem.LaterintheafternoonthefollowingmessagewasreceivedfromtheBaptistChurch:
“TheMissionaryCircleoftheAllentownBaptistChurchinmeetingassembledweregreatlydelightedto
receivefromtheHomeMissionarySocietyoftheMethodistChurchofAllentownamessageofgreetingand
goodwill.
OneofthegreatblessingsoftheworkoftheKingdomintheAllentownDistrictisthemutual
understandingandgoodwillthatprevailsamongchurchesandsocietiesengagedintheserviceofChrist
Jesus,OurLord.
MaytheblessingofGodourFatherenrichyouinyourworkforHimnotonlyinthelocaldistrictbutalso
inthegreatworldservice–signedbyMrs.W.Hendrickson”.
TheWoman’sHomeMissionarySocietywasinstrumentalinorganizing“Mother’sJewels”and“Home
Guards”(15girls).TheboysofMissElsieRobbinsclasswerealsomade“HomeGuards”.
AnannualautumncollectionofcannedgoodswasdistributedtoMethodistHomes.Thiswas
discontinuedin1958andreplacedbydonationscollectedthroughmoneybarrels.TheSocietyregularlysent
representativestotheSummerSchoolofMissions.InFebruary1927,the4thTuesdayofeachmonthwas
officiallydesignatedasitsmeetingtime.Thispracticestillcontinuestoday.
Itisinterestingtonotethatmusicwasoftenprovidedbyavictrolaandsteropticonslideswereusedfor
someprograms.
~16~
AftertheunionoftheMethodistEpiscopalChurch(North)andtheMethodistProtestantChurchin1939,
theofficialnameforthewoman’sgroupwaschangedtotheWomen’sSocietyofChristianService.Programs
wouldnowcoverbothhomeandforeignmissionsandthemoneywouldbedividedinhalfforforeign
missionarysocietyandonehalftothelocaltreasury.
In1941,ChristmasgiftsweresenttoFortDixandtheSocietypledgedtosendcookiesandsandwiches
the2ndTuesdayofeachmonthforthesoldiers.HostesseswerealsosenttotheU.S.O.atLakehurst.In1942,
thefinancialsystemofpledgingwasencouragedforthemembers.
In1968,theMethodistChurchjoinedwiththeEvangelicalUnitedBrethrenandin1973thewomen’s
groupwasofficiallydesignatedastheUnitedMethodistWomen.
OurbudgetismetthroughpledgingandwehavealwaysmetourtotalpledgetotheNorthwestDistrict.
WeareencouragedtouseallofourfundsforthesupportoftheNorthwestDistrictUnitedMethodistWomen.
WiththemergerbetweentheNorthandSouthDistrictsin2000,theUnitedMethodistWomenworktogether
asoneunit.Weareasmallgroupbutalwaysmeetourpledgeandsupportmissionsthroughtheconference.
ThefollowingupdatewasprovidedbyLindaWatson:
TheUnitedMethodistWomenareanorganizedunitwhosePURPOSEistoknowGodandexperience
freedomaswholepersonsthroughJesusChrist;todevelopacreative,supportivefellowship;andtoexpand
conceptsofmissionthroughparticipationintheglobalministriesofthechurch.
Presently,ourgroupmeetsforninemonthlymeetings,holdsaMother‐ChildBanquet,supportsthe
AnnualChurchPicnic,andhoststheChristmasTea.
Someofourmissionprojectsincludethesupportofthespringandfallin‐gatherings,theCamden
NeighborhoodCenter,MethodistHomes,MethodistMissiontripstorepairhomes,andsupportcampersto
MethodistCamps.Inaddition,wesupporttheneedsofthechurchbyfinancialgiftsandhandsonprojects
(springandfallcleanupandotherprojectsaroundthechurch).Wehaveprovidedhealthkits,schoolsupplies
andschoolbagsandhavemadeschooldressesforchildreninHaitiinsupportofGlobalneeds.Wesupport
programsthatareofinterestforwomen,e.g.:breastcancerawareness,organdonor,financialplanning,etc.
Werememberourshut‐inswithcards,gifts,andfood.Inthefallourcollegestudentsarerecognizedwith
packagesofcookiesandothertreats.Baptismsareacknowledgedwithbooksforchildrentohelpthem
throughtheirspiritualjourney.Wehonorourdeceasedsistersbymemorialgiftstochurchthroughtheir
scholarshiporarestorationprojectintheirname.
AllwomenofthechurchareinvitedtotheUnitedMethodistWomengatheringsandencouragedtobring
afriend.WeallcometogetherasonetodoGod’swork.
THESUNDAYSCHOOL
SomesourcescreditJohnWesleywithestablishingthefirstAmericanSundaySchoolinGeorgiaaround
1735.TheSundaySchoolmovementreallygotunderwayintheearly1800’saboutthetimetheAllentown
Churchwasorganized.Althoughnoformalhistorywaseverprepared,itislikelythattheSundaySchoolisas
oldasthechurchitself.Aspartofthe175thcelebration,DonnaFunkhousercollectedtheSundaySchool
reminiscencesofMarionBauer,MaryClark,LouisSpragueGarrison,CarolynGiehl,RobertPeppler,David
Poinsett,EllaSchmidtandHazelSprague.Theirmemoriescoveranunbrokenperiodfrom1914‐‐1960.
Despitetheworldchangesthattookplaceinthoseyearsthestoriesthemselvesaresimilar.
Alltheformerscholarsfondlyrecalledcolorful,dramaticanddedicatedteachers:ClaraMaeWilbur,Mrs.
Homer,whouseddollsandasandtabletodramatizeBiblestories,MarionRaabChallender,GeorgeLeber,
SundaySchoolSuperintendentGeorgeWilbur,Mrs.PalmerandtheReverendandMrs.Merwinwere
mentionedespecially.
Thedaysrememberedwerethosebeforetheeducationalwingwasbuilt.“SundaySchoolclasswasheld
inthelarge1stfloorroomunderthesanctuary.”
~17~
“Afteropeningexercises,whichincludedreadingofscripture,singingofhymnsandthetakingof
collection,wemovedtovariousareasoftheroomforourrespectiveSundaySchoolClasses.”
Manyalsorememberedthat“privacywashardtocomebyinthosedays”;classesmetinthekitchen,the
Parsonage,theSanctuaryandinalean‐tobehindthechurchwhilethenurseryandfirstgradeswereinsmall
roomsatthefootofthemainstairs.
Somerememberedtheregularservices:“therewereoldfamiliarsongsandhymnsthatyouseldomhear
today”.Otherslookedbacktodayswhichwerespecialtothechurchandtothechild:“Irememberavery
activeJuniorChoir.Manyofusplayedmusicalinstrumentsandwouldplayquiteoftenduringchurchservices.
Children’sDaywasalwaysadaywhenthechildrenwouldtakechargeoftheservice.TheChristmasPartyfor
theSundaySchoolalwaysleftaniceimpression.Allclasseswouldpresentacombinedplayandwaitfora
visitfromSanta.”
Andofcourse,theyrememberedtheold‐fashionedSundaySchoolPicnics.“Duringthoseyearsthe
SundaySchool(enmasse)travelledforasummeroutingtoeitherJenkinson’sPavilion(Pt.Pleasant)or
ClementonPark.Needlesstosay,welovedit.”
Withoutexceptionthesearehappymemories.Sadly,itisnowtoolatetopersonallythankmanyofthose
whostruggledtomakerestlesslittleheathensintodecentChristians.Belowwehavelistedthepresent
leadersandstaffoftheSundaySchool;wecan,atleast,thankthemandhonortheireffortsinleadingforward
thechurch’snextgeneration.
1985‐1986SundaySchoolLeaders(fromthe175thedition)
Superintendent:Mrs.David(Georgia)Poinsett
Nursery/Kindergartenclasses:Mr.&Mrs.David(Diana)Corrington
1stand2ndgrades:Mr.HankPierreandMrs.MelindaC.Brown
3rdand4th:Mr.HarryCrossandMrs.BarbaraJenningsandMrs.CarolWagg
5thand6th:Mrs.GeorgiaPoinsett
7thand8th:Mr.andMrs.Bryon(Cyndi)Taylor
HighSchool:Mr.RonaldHarrisonandMrs.JoanneFisher
2000‐2001SundaySchoolLeaders(fromthe190thedition)
Superintendents:Mrs.JoAnnCarmichaelandMrs.BetsyGiardinelli
Preschoolclass:Mrs.NolaNoller
PreK,Kindergarten,FirstGrade:Mrs.ClaireMarshall
2ndand3rdGrades:MissJelynSteelman
4th–6thGrades:Betsy&MikeGiardinelli
7th–8thGrades:Mike&BetsyGiardinelli
HighSchool:RobinBruins
2002‐2010SundaySchoolLeaders
Superintendents:2002:BetsyGiardinelli;2003‐2007DeniseErb;2008‐2009:MelanieRheaumeandDeb
Yuhas
SundaySchoolteachersincluded:NolaNoller,LisaKorneluk,ClaireMarshall,JelynSteelman,Betsyand
MichaelGiardinelli,RobinBruins,MelanieRheaume,DeniseErb,ElizabethDiDonato,DebYuhas,JoAnn
CarmichaelandTheresaZigich.
TheAllentownUnitedMethodistChurchisproudoftheeducationalopportunitiesthathavebeenoffered
throughtheyears.In1960theeducationalwingwasconstructed,therebyaffordingthechurchtheabilityto
accommodateasmanyassevenclasses.TheSundaySchoolclassesareinsessionSundaymorningsfrom9:45
until10:45andareavailableforeveryagegroup,frompreschooltoadult.TheSundaySchoolSuperintendent
workswiththeverydedicatedclassroomteacherstoensurethatthestudentshavethenecessarybooksand
materials,andtoplanvariousfunctionsthroughouttheyearthatwouldenhancetheteachingsinthe
classroom,orareseasonallyappropriate.
~18~
TheSundaySchoolclasseshaveheldSedersuppers,experiencedthe“stationsofthecross”,donemini
CropWalks,raisedmoneytopurchaseblanketsandanimalsforvariousthirdworldcountries,bakedbread
(andpretzels)tobeusedforcommunionservices,embarkedonfieldtrips,andhostedcoffeehours.They
culminatetheyearwithapicnic,whichhasalwaysbeenaverypopularevent.Althoughitwasatonetime
heldinPointPleasantandlateramongthegroveofbeautifultreesonourpropertyinAllentown,theannual
picnicnowtakesplaceatMountMisery.Thedaylongaffairincludeshayrides,volleyball,softballandvarious
othergamesandplentyofdeliciousfood.
TheSundaySchoolhasbeencoordinatedforthelastfifteenyearsbythefollowingsuperintendents:
1985‐86GeorgiaPoinsett,1987‐89DianaCorringtonandHankPierre,1990‐93SueRosser;1993‐95Dave
Strobino;1995‐98LizEcke,assistedbyJoanneandRobertTrifiro;1999–presentJoAnnCarmichaeland
BetsyGiardinelli.
Duringtheearly1990’sthru2000’stheSundaySchoolprogramwasstillverymuchaliveandactive.
Classparticipationwaslowerthaninthepast,butthechurchcontinuedtoofferfunandexcitingwaysforthe
childrentogetaChristianeducationandlearnabouttheBible.Westillmaintainedindividualclassrooms,
offeringSundaySchoolfrom3yearsoldto8thgrade.Ourteacherswereverydedicatedandalwaysplanned
activitiesthatnotonlyinvolvedourchurchfamilybutoutreachedintothecommunitywithCropwalks,food
pantries,heiferprojectsandshut‐ins.Wehadanactiveyouthchoirandplannedactivitiesawayfromthe
churchthatthechildrencouldparticipateinsuchasmovies,picnics,skatingandbowling.Thiscontinuedinto
the21stcentury.
Towards2004,ourSundaySchoolattendancedroppedandweturnedintoaOne‐RoomSundaySchool
program.Thisofferedthechildrenanenvironmentwheretheycouldalllearntogether.Westillhadour
preschoolclassandmiddleschoolclasses,butgradesKindergartenthrough4thgradecombinedintheone‐
roomSundaySchool.WecontinuedouroutreachprogramswithintheSundaySchoolprogramtryingto
involveourcongregation,parentsandthecommunity.Ourchildrenalwayslookedforwardtotheannual
ChristmasandEasterpresentationsaswellasourannualEasteregghuntinthebackfield.
ThroughtheyearsourFunDaywasalwayswellattendedbyboththelittlekidsandthe“bigkids”which
washeldatMt.MiseryCamp.Thiswasadaytojusthavefunwhilecanoeing,hiking,swimmingor
participatingintheannualsoftballgame.Forthoseamongusthathadthatcompetitiveedge,thiswasthe
chancetobattlethecompetition,butallingoodfun.Weendedthedaywithanexcitinghayrideandbonfire.
Funwasalwayshadbyallages.Thoseweregreatdays.
OurteacherscontinuetooffergreatBiblelessonsandarededicatedtothefundamentalsofteachingthe
childrenabouttheBible.Ourdoorsandheartsarealwaysopentochildrenofallages.Thankstoallthe
teachersthroughtheyearsthatwerealwayswilling,alwaysdedicated,andalwayscaringtothechildrenof
ourchurchandbeyond.
YOUTHANDYOUNGADULTACTIVITIES
TheUnitedMethodistChurchhasalwaysbeeninterestedinprovidingappropriatesocialandrecreational
activitiesforitsyouthandyoungadults.InthefollowingnotesDavidPoinsettshowsthattheAllentown
UnitedMethodistChurchisnoexception.
Inthe1940’s,aCouples’Clubwasactiveundertheleadershipoftheminister,ReverendEdmundCarlisle
andhiswifeHelen.ThegroupmetinFellowshipHallwithtwocouplesinchargeofrefreshmentsand
entertainmenteachmonthonarotatingbasis.MembersincludedEdandPegRockhill,MarionandLee
Challender,HiltonandHelenWilbur,DeltonandEverettWarriner,DonandJeanPepplerandHarryandAnn
Baker.SomeofthefunactivitiesoftheCouples’Clubwerehayrides,atriptotheboardwalkatSeaside,
covereddishsuppersandprogressivedinners,ascavengerhuntandhotdogroastsatBowman’sTower,in
Pennsylvania.
Inthe1950’s,bothajuniorandseniorMethodistYouthFellowshipwereactive.Leadershipofthesenior
MYFwassuppliedbyDannyandShirleyPittman.AllanTaylorhelpedwithtransportation.Amongtheactive
seniorhighschoolageMYFmemberswereHeatherMcGregor,JoanHutchinson,NormaCook,DavidPoinsett,
~19~
KathyGibbs,RobertSweel,RichardLaird,CharlesMorrisandJanisMiskoski.Activitiesincludedhayrides,
youthralliesandretreatsatMt.Misery,squaredances,Christmascaroling,bowlingandpicnics.
TheMYFcontinuedtomeetinthechurchsocialhallintheearly1960’sJudyFergusonwasthePresident
ofthegroup.OthermemberswerePatLake,JeanMcGregor,ClaudiaEdson,KevinMcQuillan,CaroleEilers,
KathyLemming,DonnaPhillips,JudyIreland,PhyllisParry,JanetRunner,RichardPoinsettandGordinand
WaviaShindle.RollerskatingattheCapitalArenawasapopularactivity,aswellashayrides.
Inthemid‐1980’s,ahighschool/juniorhighgroupmetundertheadultleadershipofRonandLynn
Harrison.Therewasalsoanactiveyoungadultscouples’clubthatmetapproximatelyonceamonth.The
youthenjoyedsuchactivitiesasmovies,bowling,miniaturegolfandpicnics.Theadultgroupattendedtheater
parties,theHighSchoolplayandMcCarterTheater.Otheractivitiesincludedcidermaking,progressive
dinners,canoeing,bicyclehikes,andcarolingatChristmas,the“hangingofthegreens”inthesanctuaryat
Christmaswassponsoredbytheadultgroupforseveralyears.
Goodleadership,fellowship,andfunhavebeenhallmarksofallofthesegroupsovertheyears.The
churchfamilylooksforwardtoacontinuationoftheseactivitiesasitmovesforward.
TheAllentownUnitedMethodistyouthgroupwasreformedinthefallof1997.JelynSteelman,the
pastor’sdaughter,washiredastheyouthcoordinator.TheyouthstartedmeetingonSundaynights.Ourfirst
yearinoperationwaspracticingtwoplays.Weperformedtheplaysonenightinthespringwithadessert
covereddishinthemiddleastheintermission.Theyouthandtheadultsalikeenjoyedtheplays.
Inthefallof1998,ourmeetingnightwaschangedtoThursdayevenings.Wedidcrafts,hadlessons,and
learnedmoreabouttheLordandourfaith.Sincethewinterof1998,theyouthhavebeenattendingtheMid‐
WinterAdvance.ItisaweekendretreatwheretheylearnaboutGodandmeetnewfriendsfromvarious
churches.
ItwasagoodfeelingtoseetheyouthcomeouteveryThursdaynight.Atthattime,theywereasmall
group,butafaithfulgroup.
Inthefallof1999,DeniseErbtookovertheyouthprogram.WemettwiceamonthonFridays.Wehada
smallgroup,butweweremighty.Wewereveryactiveinthechurch.Theupstairsclassroomswere
dedicatedtotheyouthprogram.Webroughtinapooltable,couches,gamesandairhockey.Ourmeetings
wereheldprimarilyintheserooms;however,weutilizedtheentirechurch.Thechildrenreallyenjoyedthe
sanctuary,singingandplayingmusic.Hideandseekwasafavoriteinthegroup;nothinglikeadark,quiet
churchtohidein.
Wehadmanyplannedactivitiesoutsidethechurch.Rollerskatingonceamonth,bowling,skiing,and
movienightwereamongthefavorites.Wehadfundraiserdinnerstoinvolvethecongregationandraise
awarenessforhunger.WecontinuedtoattendtheMid‐WinterAdvanceatKeswick.Thosedaysofactive
youthinourchurcharemissedgreatly.Funandfellowshipwasalwaysourmotto.Manythanksgotoallwho
helpedwiththeyouthandthosewhowentonouroutingsandparticipatedinsomeofourcrazyescapades.
Weenjoyedeveryminute.Ourtimestogetherwerealwaysfunandexciting.
~20~
UNITEDMETHODISTMEN
ThefollowinginformationwaswrittenbyBillMetterhouse:
ThebasicphilosophyoftheMethodistMenistoprovideforChristianfellowshipandservicestothe
church.
Formanyyearsthemenhaveconductedabreakfastmeetingat8:00a.m.everyothermonth.The
breakfastsarepreparedbythemenfollowedbyspeakersonvarioussubjects.Thisisatimewhenthemenof
thechurchcanmeetandenjoygoodChristianfellowshipanddiscusstopicsandissuesofthechurchand
community.
Themenhaveprovidedservicestothechurchsuchas:assistinginthevariousdinneractivities,the
AnnualBazaar,andvariousworkdetailsaroundthechurch.Themenonanannualbasishaveprovided
servicesattheMethodistCampinMt.Misery.Suchworkincludedgeneralyardwork,landscaping,and
maintainingacabinassignedbythecamp.Thecabinmaintenanceincludedpaintingthecabinandgeneral
repairs.
Intheearly2000’s,ourserviceswerenolongerrequiredatMt.Misery.Themenwereaskedtohelpon
clean‐upprojectsbutnolongerhadacabinassignedtoourchurch.In2009,thegrouptookoverthegeneral
clean‐upofbothcemeteries.UndertheleadershipofclubpresidentRichardHeller,teamsofmenwilltake
turnsthroughouttheyearcompletingthiswork.
ABRIEFHISTORYOFMUSICINTHECHURCH
Organ,piano,andchoirmusichavebeenanintegralpartoftheworshipserviceattheAllentownUnited
MethodistChurch.OrganistEstherMesslerprovidedmusicandchoirdirectionfornearly30yearsuntilher
retirement.Atthattime,Mrs.GertrudeBergenbecametheorganistandchoirdirector,faithfullydevoting
nearly35yearstothatposition.NotonlywasMrs.Bergenanaccomplishedmusician,butalsoan
accomplishedcomposer.ShecomposedoriginalpiecesofmusicthatweresungbytheSeniorChoir.Manyof
thesecompositionsarestillbeingsungandenjoyedbyourchoirtoday!
MusicdirectionwasthenledbyJosephBrady.Beforetakingthepositionfull‐time,Mr.Bradyhadserved
formanyyearsassubstituteorganistandjuniorchoirdirector.Mr.Bradyoftenenhancedworshipservices
withspecialmusiconthepiano,hisprimaryinstrument.RuthFirth,afaithfulmemberofourchurch,offered
hergiftofpianomusictoworshipservicesformanyyears,oftenplayingduringcommunionservices.
InadditiontotheweeklySeniorChoiranthem,serviceshavebeenenhancedbythejuniorchoirs.Several
teamsofchoirdirectorshaveledthesechoirsovertheyears.Inthe60’s,Mrs.GertrudeBergenandMrs.Joan
Pattersonledthechildren.BobandNolaNollerdirectedachoirfor8yearsthroughthe70’sandearly80’s
thatwasaccompaniedbyMr.Noller’sguitarmusic.MarkMetterhouseandLesliePullen(Brady)directeda
choirinthe1980’s.Mark’sguitaraccompanimentandoriginalmusiccompositionprovidedaveryspecial
message.Leslie(Pullen)Bradycontinuedtodirectthechoirintothe90’s.Shewasfortunatetohavethree
differentpianoplayersasco‐directors.DebbyDippold,Mrs.JoanneFischerandJosephBradyeachprovided
pianoaccompanimentforthechildren’schoir.Intheearly90’s,theUMCinAllentownwasespeciallyblessed
withthemusicofthreedifferentchoirs.Mrs.BergenledtheSeniorChoir,Mrs.JoanneFischerdirectedthe
TeenChoirandJoeandLeslieBradywereleadingtheChildren’sChoir.
Allofourchoirshavebeensuccessfulnotonlybecauseofcapabledirectorship,butbecauseofthe
dedicationofthemanymembersineachchoir.OurSeniorChoirhasbeenanespeciallywonderfulgroupof
peopleofvariousageswhocometogetherduringpracticesessionsandworshipservicestosingGod’s
praises.Abenefitofthissharedinteresthasbeenadevelopmentofextendedfamily,menandwomenwhose
friendshipsandsupportforoneanotherlastformanyyears.
Godhasspokenclearlythroughthetalentanddevotionofthesemusicians,directors,andchoirmembers
inourchurch.
~21~
Weshouldalsonotethatafterthechurchdisposedofthepipeorgan,thechurchpurchasedanAllen
Organ.Thatorganlastedalmost50years.In1992,wewerepresentedwithanewAllenOrgangivenbyMrs.
RuthCreedinmemoryofherparentsMr.andMrs.CharlesSchisler.Thismagnificentorganhasaddedmuch
toourworshipservices.
TheSeniorChoirwasunderthedirectionandleadershipofMatthewSagerfromthefallof2007through
thespringof2010.Priortoacceptingthejob,Matthewwasasubstituteattimeswhenourorganistwas
away.Becauseofhistalentinmusic,therewasnoquestionastowhoshouldbeofferedthepositionof
organistwhenthepositionbecameopen.
UnderMatthew’sleadership,weperformedfiveCantatasincludingbothChristmasandEaster.These
wereperformedinourchurchforthecommunityandattheregularSundayservice.TheCantatamembers
traveledtoafewnursinghomestobringthisspecialmusictothemalso.SomeoftheCantatamembers
electedtojoinourSundaymorningchoirandhavingtheextravoicesisaplus.
Matthewisnotonlytalentedatthepianoandorgan,buthisvoicecouldfillthesanctuary.Wewere
blessedtohavethisyoungmanleadourchoir.Inthespringof2010,Matthewresignedandweallwishhim
wellinthefuture.Ms.CharlotteComiskybecameourtemporaryorganistthroughoutlatespringand
summer.
OurneworganistandchoirdirectorstartinginSeptemberwillbeMs.EmilyAdams,arecentgraduateof
WestminsterChoirCollegeofRiderUniversityinPrinceton.Welookforwardtoherjoiningourcongregation
toleadourmusicprogram.
WehavebeenveryfortunatetohaveRuthKrukowskifillinasanablepianistandorganist.
HISTORYOFTHEALLENTOWNCOOPERATIVECHRISTIANPRESCHOOL
ThefollowinghistorywaswrittenbyRobinBruins:
Inthespringof1980,SusanMortonapproachedtheAllentownUnitedMethodistChurchtrustees
requestingapprovalofanurseryschoolthatwouldmeetatthechurch.Trustees:HazelSprague,John
Frudden,HowardScarborough,JosephTruncer,WilliamMetterhouse,DorothyPottsandRobertPeppler
votedonJuly1,1980toapprovetherequest.Thechurchgrantedtheuseofthetwodownstairsclassrooms,
bathroomsandhalltoagroupoftwo‐dozenmothersforthesumof$8.00perday.Mostofthesemothershad
beenteachersandtheywereanxioustoprovidetheirchildrenwithastimulatingexperience.
Parentssharedteaching,fundraisingandotherdutiesasclassesbeganinSeptember1980.Therewasno
tuitionchargedattheAllentownCooperativeNurserySchool.Parentscreatedthecurriculum,donated
teachingmaterialsandfundraisedtomeettheirfinancialobligations.Theschoolgrewserving40families.
In1985,theDivisionofYouthandFamilyServicesinformedthemthattheschoolcouldnotexistwithout
beinglicensedbytheState.RobinBruins,Lynn(Harrison)SomersandSueHolmanbelievedthatwhenone
doorclosesanotheropens.TheypetitionedtheAdministrativeCounciltosponsoraChristianpreschoolon
theirpremises.TheCouncil,chairedbyClarenceFennimore,approvedtheproposalandtheAllentown
CooperativeChristianPreschoolwasborn.RomaineKadirwashiredandtheschoolopenedonadoseofhope
andprayer.
Wedroppedthetwo‐year‐oldprogrampreviouslyofferedandofferedmorningandafternoon3and4‐
yearoldclasses.Classesbeganwithone4yearoldstudent,LindsayHolman.Thelarge3‐year‐oldclass
includedHenkBruins,MichaelFranken(grandsonofWilliamandJoanPatterson),BobbieEcke,andBryan
Harrison.LindaPorter,thethencurrentpastor,wasaformerelementaryschoolteacher.Linobserved,
advisedandenjoyedthepreschool.
Otherpreschoolfamiliesweredrawntothechurchthatofferedtheirchildrenthatall‐importantfirst
schoolexperience.TheFeister’s,Daly’s,Reece’s,Sharp’s,Meirs’,Reilly’s,andBruins’representafew.Many
ofchurchfamilieshavecalledtheco‐ophome:theBrady’s,Rittenhouse’s,Malloy’s,DeMartin’s,Kalm’s,
Korneluk’s,Dixon’s,Cross’s,Hartshorn’s,Munn’s,Niewojna’s,Rheaume’s,Strobino’sandcousinsVan
Handle’s,Yuhas’,andourchurchsecretary’ssonNathanSchmalbach.
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Teachersthroughtheyearsincluded:RomaineKadir,MichaelinaSzymczak,SusanKiffner,PeggyDamm,
SueKohler,JenniferBullock,andSusanMorton(Susanwasoneofthe“foundingmothers”oftheoriginal
nurseryschoolinthe80’s).ManychurchmembershaveservedaspreschoolofficersincludingRobinBruins,
Lynn(Harrison)Somers,SusanHolman,Elizabeth(Ecke)DiDonato,SharonFeister,LindaWatson,Sue
Rosser,ShirleyMayer,andGeorgiaPoinsett.
Interestintheco‐opwanedinthe90’swiththedeclineof“stayathome”moms;howeverwecontinued
manyofthetraditionsthathadmadethepreschoolunique.Intheearly2000’s,therewasatremendous
surgeinthearea’spopulationwhichwasreflectedinenrollmentandwewereonceagainenjoyinggrowth
openinginSeptember2000with39studentsenrolled.
Currently,RobinBruinsandErikaEstokareourteacherswithKarenStillwellactingasanaideon
Wednesdayafternoons.Wehave26studentsenrolledthisyear.
God’spresencehasbeenaconstantinourminds.Onnumerousoccasions,wemetwhatseemedtobe
insurmountablecircumstances,onlytohavethemdisappear,problemresolved.Ourcontributionstothe
communityhaveincludedaidtocancerpatients,firevictimsandabusedfamilies.Wearestillseenmarching
intheMemorialDayparade.
Ourteachingmethodshaveevolvedtoembracethemostcurrentresearchthatchildrenlearnbest
throughplay.Thingsthatgrandparentsdowithchildrenareprovingtobethebestwaytostimulatebrain
development.Cooking,sewingandwoodworkingaretaughtalongwithmusicandart.Signlanguageaswell
aselevenforeignlanguagesareintroduced.StoriesfromtheBiblearereadandactedout.Thechurch’sbig
backyardisourfavoriteclassroomwithendlesslessons.
Wearegratefultooursponsor,theAllentownUnitedMethodistChurchwhosecommitmenttochildren
hasnowspanned200years.
PREACHERSOFTHEALLENTOWNMETHODISTCHURCH
Thefollowing(withappropriateupdates)waspreparedbytheReverendHoraceM.Frantzin1976.
WhileRev.Pitt’shistoryisveryhelpful,hewasnotawareofallwhopreachedinourareabefore1810.In
additiontohislistwhichincludedDavidBartine(1795)andFreebornGarretson,whocalledthepreachers
togetherupanddownthecoloniestomeetatLovelyLaneChapel,inBaltimore,MD.in1784forthehistoric
ChristmasConference,wewouldaddFrancisAsburyandThomasWebb.ItmaywellbethatRichard
BoardmanandJosephPilmorealsoreachedourarea.
Thepeoplewhoservedthischurchaspastorsfollows:Itshouldbesaidthatatthisperiodpastorswere
appointedforsixmonthsatatime,andthisexplainswhytwonamesarementionedforeachoftheseearly
years.Thepastorsandthenamesofthecircuitsarelisted.
NEWBRUNSWICKANDTRENTON:JERSEYDISTRICT:
1810‐Jos.Stratton,ThomasNeal
1811‐WilliamMills
1812‐JosephTotten,WilliamMills
1813‐Jos.Osborn,JohnVanSchoick
1814‐JohnVanSchoick,JohnFernon
TRENTON:
1815‐JohnWalker,ThomasNeal
1816‐JohnRobinson,Jos.Rusling
1817‐ManningForce,DanielMoore
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TRENTONCIRCUIT:
1818‐GeorgeBanghart,Chas.Pitman
1819‐GeorgeBanghart,Jas.Aikens
1820‐SylvesterC.Hill
1821‐S.G.Hill,EliphaletH.Reed
1822‐EdwardPage,JamesLong
1823‐JohnCreamer,IsaacWinner
1825‐JohnWalker,R.W.Petherbridge
1826‐JohnWalker,JamesMoore
1827‐28‐ThomasDavis,W.H.Bull
1829‐J.Finley,M.Lacost
1830‐JohnFinley,JamesH.MacFarland
1831‐R.W.Petherbridge,JohnBuckley
(1823‐becameEastJerseyDistrict)
CROSSWICKSCIRCUIT:
1832‐Thos.Neal,PeterD.Day
1833‐Thos.Neal,Wm.H.Gilder
1834‐Wm.Williams,MulfordDay
1835‐JamesLong,SamuelJaquett
1836‐ThomasG.Stewart
1837‐38‐NathanielChew
1839‐ZerubabelGaskill,EdmundHance
1840‐A.Gaskill,Wm.Rogers
1841‐WilliamHanley
1842‐J.S.Swain,H.Baker
ALLENTOWNCIRCUIT:
1843‐BromwellAndrew
1844‐RobertE.Morrison,J.WalkerJackson
1845‐R.E.Morrison,S.W.Hillard
1846‐47‐O.Badgeley,H.M.Brown
1848‐W.Burrowes,J.Parker
1849‐W.Burrowes,RobertB.Yard
1850‐JohnScarlet,‐‐‐Hill
1851‐JohnScarlet,Edw.W.Adams
(1845‐becameTrentonDistrict)
ALLENTOWNANDSHARON:
1852‐CharlesE.Hill
1853‐SamuelParker,JohnAtkinson
1854‐LeviHerr
1855‐56‐F.S.Wolfe,SolomonParsons
1857‐JosephChattle
1858‐59‐D.L.Adams
1860‐LeviHerr
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ALLENTOWN
1861‐LeviHerr
1862‐63‐FirmanRobbins
1864‐65‐GeorgeC.Maddock
1866‐68‐WilliamMargerum
1869‐71‐GeorgeC.Stanger
1872‐GeorgeHitchins
1873‐74‐HenryG.Williams
1875‐WilliamT.Abbott
1876‐78‐JohnL.Souder
1879‐80‐GarnerH.Tullis
1881–82‐E.E.Green
1883‐85‐PeterProvost
1886‐89‐SamuelF.Gaskill
1890‐92‐LeviLarew
1893‐94‐WilliamA.Lilley
1895‐98‐ShermanG.Pitt
1899‐1900‐JohnWarthman
1901–A.L.lszard
1902‐05‐JohnAllen
1906‐07‐E.A.Robinson
1908‐WilliamStone
1909‐11‐C.F.Garrison
1912–13‐.J.C.Carman
1914‐17–HenryB.White
1918‐21‐E.VanDright
1922–25‐CharlesS.Miller
1926–29‐AlbertE.Morris
1930–34‐HenryJohnson
1935‐39‐CharlesH.Anderson
1940‐41‐PaulC.Greiner
1942‐43‐CharlesA.Book
1944‐49‐EdmundH.Carlisle
1950‐59‐JohnD.Merwin
1960‐61‐CarlPrice
1962–66‐EarlC.Snyder
1967‐69‐LloydApplegate
1970‐77‐HoraceM.Frantz
1977‐85‐DavidT.Wilson
1983‐85‐JamesMoos‐StudentAssistant
1985‐93‐LindaM.Porter
1993–97–ChristopherDixon
1997–2008–MertonA.Steelman
2008–present–GeorgeN.Zigich
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TOTHEFUTURE
Our200thanniversarybringswithitnewchallengesofthetwenty‐firstcenturyworld.Thespiritandfireofthecircuit
ridersofthe1700’s,withGod’shelp,willleadusaswekeeptheflameofMethodismburninginthisblessedchurchin
Allentown.
WithouttheableassistanceofMaryClark,thisrevisiontoourbrochurewouldnothavebeensothorough.Weareblessedtohavesuch
adedicatedhistorianamongus.
Wealsothankallofthosechurchmemberswhograciouslyprovidedspecificinputtomanyofthesectionsofthebooklet.
OurveryspecialthanksgotoMrs.SusanHolmanforbotheditingandtypingthishistoryofourchurch.
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