History of Our church
and our Cemetary
*please note this part of the page is being edited little by little and being brought up to date.*
CHURCH HISTORY
Our church had its beginnings, as in many localities where early settlers were German, with the union of the Lutheran and Reformed churches. We began according to the oldest church record book, "in the year of our Redeemer Jesus Christ 1777."
Together we built a union schoolhouse near the site of the old Reformed Cemetery. The following account was written in our record: "Both the above-named congregations have in the above-named year united together to build a good schoolhouse to have their children instructed in the word and grace of God! Also, on certain days, to hold public worship in it, as well as reading of sermons on Sunday by the school teacher, or other religious books by a person who is a member of one of the congregations; also at certain times to preach in it by certain ministers of the honorable Reform Classes and Ministerium who pay a visit and also attend to the sacrament until either congregation is in good condition to build a comfortable church."
The first known pastor was Rev. J. W. Lizel who began serving the congregation in 1777, following by Rev. Michael Steg, who served from 1788-1793.
The oldest record book dating as early as 1777 for the Reformed Congregation (written in the German language and translated to English in 1929 by Dr. Ezra C. Saylor) begins as follows:
CHURCH BOOK OF BOTH CONGREGATIONS
********************
The Evangelica Lutheran and the Evangelical Reformed, situated in Bedford County, Brothers Valley Township, Province of Pennsylvania.
Containing
Births and Baptisms.
Confirmation and Communion Records.
Marriages.
In the name of God, the Father, Son and Spirit, Jesus says in Mark, the 10th
Chapter. Let the Little Children come unto me and forbid them not, for such is the Kingdom of God.
As Moses, the Husband of Zipporah, spake to the people while he cast away the circumcision of his son, so may God own all the children recorded in this book, now and in eternity. Only to the glory of God, to God be glory.
Done by me, a teacher and preacher of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, holding to the Augsburg Confession.
M.J.W. Lizel.
The above mentioned Brother Congregations, have invited themselves together in the above mentioned year. 1777. To build a respectable Church House, for the purpose of instructing the children in the Word of God, and in Grace, and besides at certain times to hold religious worship as well as to read a semon, on the scripture on Sunday by their Lay Reader, or among themselves; to do the same thing by a man who is a Member of the Congregation, as also at appointed times to hold preaching services by some appointed preacher of the highly honored coetus or ministerium. To visit the members and also to administer the holy sacraments, until the congregation is able to build a church building, such as is suitable for the Christian Church.
In the above mentioned school house.
The Members of the two congregations are as follows:
(Note) No names appear; never was completed.
(END)
The first recorded baptisms were performed on October 9, 1777, and included the following: John Coleman, John Jacob Petri, Suzana Heinbach, Elizabeth Gertraut Hoh (Hay), Eve Herst, and John Adam Flick.
The following is a timeline of historical events in our church:
In our history, four men have entered the Gospel Ministry. The are: Rev. B.B. Collins, Rev. John Brubaker, Rev. W.E. Fisher, and Rev. Robert Suder. It is of interest to note that the tune of two hymns in the Common Service Book were composed by Rev. Fisher.
Plans are currently underway to celebrate our 250th anniversary in 2027.
CEMETARY HISTORY
The Lutheran Cemetery is located on Vine Street. Records indicate that the first person buried there was Frederick Croft 1714-2/1802. The last person buried there was Charles Walter 12/11/1822-12/28/1882. Although most of the headstones are no longer legible, a plaque is located at the entrance to the cemetery listing names. Restoration of the cemetery was sponsored by Holy Trinity in 1931. Committee members were Ed D. Baldwin, Jacob Sarver, and H.F. Ball.
CHURCH HISTORY
Our church had its beginnings, as in many localities where early settlers were German, with the union of the Lutheran and Reformed churches. We began according to the oldest church record book, "in the year of our Redeemer Jesus Christ 1777."
Together we built a union schoolhouse near the site of the old Reformed Cemetery. The following account was written in our record: "Both the above-named congregations have in the above-named year united together to build a good schoolhouse to have their children instructed in the word and grace of God! Also, on certain days, to hold public worship in it, as well as reading of sermons on Sunday by the school teacher, or other religious books by a person who is a member of one of the congregations; also at certain times to preach in it by certain ministers of the honorable Reform Classes and Ministerium who pay a visit and also attend to the sacrament until either congregation is in good condition to build a comfortable church."
The first known pastor was Rev. J. W. Lizel who began serving the congregation in 1777, following by Rev. Michael Steg, who served from 1788-1793.
The oldest record book dating as early as 1777 for the Reformed Congregation (written in the German language and translated to English in 1929 by Dr. Ezra C. Saylor) begins as follows:
CHURCH BOOK OF BOTH CONGREGATIONS
********************
The Evangelica Lutheran and the Evangelical Reformed, situated in Bedford County, Brothers Valley Township, Province of Pennsylvania.
Containing
Births and Baptisms.
Confirmation and Communion Records.
Marriages.
In the name of God, the Father, Son and Spirit, Jesus says in Mark, the 10th
Chapter. Let the Little Children come unto me and forbid them not, for such is the Kingdom of God.
As Moses, the Husband of Zipporah, spake to the people while he cast away the circumcision of his son, so may God own all the children recorded in this book, now and in eternity. Only to the glory of God, to God be glory.
Done by me, a teacher and preacher of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, holding to the Augsburg Confession.
M.J.W. Lizel.
The above mentioned Brother Congregations, have invited themselves together in the above mentioned year. 1777. To build a respectable Church House, for the purpose of instructing the children in the Word of God, and in Grace, and besides at certain times to hold religious worship as well as to read a semon, on the scripture on Sunday by their Lay Reader, or among themselves; to do the same thing by a man who is a Member of the Congregation, as also at appointed times to hold preaching services by some appointed preacher of the highly honored coetus or ministerium. To visit the members and also to administer the holy sacraments, until the congregation is able to build a church building, such as is suitable for the Christian Church.
In the above mentioned school house.
The Members of the two congregations are as follows:
(Note) No names appear; never was completed.
(END)
The first recorded baptisms were performed on October 9, 1777, and included the following: John Coleman, John Jacob Petri, Suzana Heinbach, Elizabeth Gertraut Hoh (Hay), Eve Herst, and John Adam Flick.
The following is a timeline of historical events in our church:
- April 4, 1786, The Supreme Executive Council grants Jacob Keefer a tract of land in trust for Calvinistic and Lutheran Churches.
- In 1800 the first Lutheran church is built. It was a two-story log building with a balcony on three sides.
- In 1808 Jacob Fisher, Jacob Keffer and others emigrate to Sherwood, Canada, and establish a Lutheran church, a child of our church. However, not the last, for a number of the Lutheran churches in this area are offspring of our congregation.
- Janaury 1, 1825, the Rev. Mr. Criegler and John Fletcher, with a few other persons, organized a Sunday School in our church. It was the first Sunday School of any denomination in Somerset County. Mr. Peter Lane was the first superintendent.
- Mr. Fletcher also bequeathed the sum of $2,140 to the Sunday School, the interest of which is to purchase Bibles, New Testaments and sacred literature for the Sunday School. To this date we continue to provide Bibles for our youth attending Sunday School through this fund.
- From 1844-1846 and 1864-1872: Berlin was pastored by a Rev. Jess Winecoff, "a man of scholarly attainments, deep piety, and fervent zeal for the cause of Christ." Through his influence a number of young men prepared for gospel ministry: the Revs. B.B. Collins, W.E. Fisher, D.D., and John Brubaker, D.D.
- In 1853 a second church building was erected on Vine Street, where the Cedar Heights Apartments are today. The total cost of this was $2,145.
- During the pastorate of Rev. A.M. Strauss [1872-1875] the north wing of the Sunday School was erected.
- In 1876 the Somerset County Lutheran Sunday School Association was founded in the Berlin Church. Rev. Mr. Poffenberger was involved in developing that association.
- In 1880 the Synodical Women's Home and Foreign Mission Society was organized. That synodical meeting was hosted by our church in Berlin.
- On June 8, 1889, the cornerstone of our present church building was laid, and the church was dedicated on June 29, 1890. The church was dedicated free of debt, although the cost was $13,630.61. Mr. Jacob J. Zorn was the contractor, and George Engle and Daniel Brubaker were the carpenters for the framework.
- On June 22, 1893, through the resolution adopted at a congregational meeting, the congregation decided to become a separate pastorate. The Rev. S.J. Taylor (1893-1899) was called to become the first pastor as a separate pastorate.
- From 1904-1905 the "old" parsonage opposite the former high school was sold and a "new" parsonage was built on Main Street at a cost of $3,000.
- During the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Patterson [1899-1906], the first pipe organ was installed in the church.
- In the summer of 1907, an addition of twenty-five feet was built to the Sunday School room, at a cost of $2,000.
- In the summer of 1916, another addition to the Sunday School room was built as the enrollment of Sunday School was 425 and growing.
- On March 1, 1919 the Rev. Mr. C.P. Bastian became pastor and served for 23 years until January 9, 1942. He was a well-loved and well-respected pastor. He baptized 173 persons, officiated at 51 marriages, and confirmed over 200 youth.
- In 1933 the Altar was dedicated in memory of Ellen Coleman Hauger by her husband, Wes Hauger.
- A youth choir was organized and the first Christmas Eve candlelight service was held in 1942.
- During World War II, 93 men and women from the congregation served our country in various branches of the armed services. Two young men were killed in World War II: Eugene G. Coleman died in action on Luzon on March 2, 1945, and J. Robert Walker lost his life over Paris, France, on July 14, 1943.
- Another of our members was also killed during the Korean Conflict: Cecil C. Norris was killed in action in Korea on January 4, 1951.
- In the fall of 1951, a young married couples class was formed and became known as the Fidelis Class.
- During the month of October 1952 we celebrated our 175th anniversary under the pastorate of Pastor John Heller (1951-1956).
- In 1952 the male youth began acolyting.
- November 1956 we began publishing our monthly newsletter "The Visitor"
- During the pastorate of Rev. Walter Brandau [1959-1967], the scout troops were begun, a community kindergarten was started, and many other modifications were done to the building as well.
- On May 2 and May 6, 1962, we held 185th Anniversary and Rededication services under the pastorate of Pastor Walter L. Brandau.
- In 1967, at the beginning of Rev. Robert A. Miller's pastorate [1967-1973], the coal furnace was replaced with a gas furnace.
- In 1968, 42 members from St. Matthew's in Roxbury were welcomed into our congregation.
- In 1969 female youth were now allowed to acolyte.
- In the spring of 1969, under the leadership of Mr. Ernest Landis, Chairman of the Property Committee, work began on excavating beneath the main auditorium of the Church. Mr. Landis personally drew up the plans and supervised the work for five classrooms as well as a secretary and pastor's office. This was a very welcomed addition to our church.
- During the pastorate of Rev. George Buechner [1973-1976], from May 4-8, 1975, the 150th anniversary of the Sunday School was celebrated with three elaborate programs.
- 1973 female members were now allowed to be ushers during services.
- Our church's 200th anniversary was celebrated during the pastorate of Rev. Kenneth Swanson [1976-1986] with special events throughout the year.
- Rev. Melvin Kirk Jr. began his pastorate in 1987. A year later we purchased the Western Auto Store and transformed it into offices, Sunday School rooms and a youth room. We renamed it Luther Haus.
- In 1989 a set of needlepoint paraments were started under the supervision of Mr. John O. Ream Jr. and our needlepoint group, and were dedicated in 1992 to enrich our worship life.
- On October 15, 1989, the 100th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone was commemorated.
- In 1990 on the Fourth Sunday of Advent a tradition was started to have an evening communion service at Wayne and Nancy Schrock's barn. The "Barn Service" has grown in popularity over the years. The Barn Service continues and is now held at the barn of the Harry Rhoads family.
- In 1991 we began a lay Homebound Communion program. In this program lay members were trained by the pastor to take communion to our homebound members. This has allowed us to bring communion to each of our homebound members on a monthly basis.
- In 1992 Bell Choir began.
- In 1993, through the generous bequest of Harold Croner, several octaves of hand bells were purchased and three bell choirs have since been developed.
- In 1994 we began organizing a Colonial Liturgy, which was held in conjunction with the Berlin Whiskey Rebellion Celebration.
- In 1998 Rev. Glen Foster was called to be our Associate Pastor, along with his duties as pastor of the White Oak and Garrett charges.
- In 2002 the 225th anniversary of the church was celebrated with a special church service with Bishop Gregory Pile as celebrant, a combined picnic with Trinity United Church of Christ (the former Reformed church), a "homecoming" service, a wooden Cat's Meow replica of the church, and a congregational picture.
- 2004 the Youth of God Bell Choir began.
- After Pastor Kirk, we had an interim Pastor David Fetter from July 2004 through September 2004
- In September of 2004 Rev. Dr. John W. Harmon was called to pastor the congregation.
- In January 2005 he instituted the Alpha program.
- During 2005 the church sanctuary underwent an extensive refurbishing.
- In 2006 the church celebrated the 182nd anniversary of its Sunday School.
- In 2006 the church launched its own website.
- On October 15, 2006, the congregation celebrated Pastor Harmon's 30th anniversary of his ordination with a special Pastor Appreciation Sunday.
- On March 15, 2014, we left the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and became part of the North American Lutheran Church (NALC).
- Rev. Dr. Harmon completed his time with us in September of 2015.
- From October 1, 2015-June 15, 2016 Pastor Heidi Holst served our congregation.
- Following Pastor Holst, Pastor Scott Baker arrived in September of 2016 and he remained until August of 2018. He was loved by our youth especially when he went white water rafting with them during In-Tents Church camp.
- In June of 2019 we called Pastor Gary Jensen to serve at Holy Trinity. He and his wife Ann were a great addition to the congregation, and he served until his retirement in August of 2021. They returned to the west coast to be near family, but still keep in touch with several members.
- In 2020 due to the Covid Pandemic we began using Facebook Live to broadcast our services when we could not meet in person. We continue to do so because they reach members who are unable to be at church in person.
- Currently serving as our full-time interim Pastor is Pastor Robert Keplinger. He began here with us in September of 2021. He and his wife Lana are a wonderful addition to the congregation.
- In October 2022 three congregation members were certified as Authorized Worship Leaders to serve within our Mission District. They are Connie Slope, Jeff Moore, and Maria Mowry.
- At our Veterans Day service on November 13, 2022, we dedicated a second veterans’ plaque and added 151 names. The service was attended by 252 people with numerous living veterans present.
In our history, four men have entered the Gospel Ministry. The are: Rev. B.B. Collins, Rev. John Brubaker, Rev. W.E. Fisher, and Rev. Robert Suder. It is of interest to note that the tune of two hymns in the Common Service Book were composed by Rev. Fisher.
Plans are currently underway to celebrate our 250th anniversary in 2027.
CEMETARY HISTORY
The Lutheran Cemetery is located on Vine Street. Records indicate that the first person buried there was Frederick Croft 1714-2/1802. The last person buried there was Charles Walter 12/11/1822-12/28/1882. Although most of the headstones are no longer legible, a plaque is located at the entrance to the cemetery listing names. Restoration of the cemetery was sponsored by Holy Trinity in 1931. Committee members were Ed D. Baldwin, Jacob Sarver, and H.F. Ball.
