Ebenezer United Methodist Church
Saturday, September 04, 2010

About Us

 
Ebenezer UMC is located in rural Berwick, Pennsylvania (687 State Route 93).   Sunday Worship is at 8:30 AM and Sunday School is at 9:45 AM.
 
Along with our sister churches (Summerhill Evangelical UMC and Stone UMC), we are part of the Columbia Circuit Charge, Lewisburg District, Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church.
 

History of Ebenezer United Methodist Church
and History of the Columbia Circuit “Mother of Regions Evangelical Churches”

Formation of Evangelical Association

The founder of the Evangelical Association, Jacob Albright (1759-1808), was a German Lutheran farmer and tile maker who converted to Methodism in 1790.  Albright conducted revivals among the German-speaking settlements of Eastern Pennsylvania.  Following the evangelistic meetings, converts were encouraged to form classes to strengthen their spiritual life.  The Evangelical Association was officially organized in 1803.  At this time, representatives from these classes ordained Albright a minister. The groups formed under Albright held a general conference in 1807 at which he was elected bishop.

Preaching Places Established in Salem and Briar Creek Townships

In West Penn Township, Schuylkill County lived that eminent man of God, Leonard Zimmerman, an officer of high rank in the Revolutionary War, and his wife Sophia.  He was an officer in his church and was a spiritually enlightened and pious man.  About 1797 he turned his back to the "dead formality" of his church and opened his house as a preaching place for the zealous evangelist Albright.  Decried as a heretic for this, he became the subject of sore persecution.  His former pastor did his utmost to keep him from "falling from the faith" and urged him to close his door against the "false prophets" and "deceivers”.  Zimmerman at this time was well advanced in years.  He was the father of a large family, nearly all of whom were grown, and some were already heads of families.  The following is a list of his children as named in his will, all of whom became members of the Church prior to Albright's death: Barbara, Catherine, Eve, Susan, Mary, Leonard, Mary Elizabeth, Albertina, Margaret, Simon, David, Jacob, and John.

His daughters Mary and Eve married brothers, John D. and Michael Seybert, respectively.  Catherine married John George Zehner.  The Seyberts settled in Salem township, Luzerne County, in the region of what is now Moore's Hill while the Zehners settled at Summer Hill, a few miles west, in Briar Creek township, Columbia County.  They opened their homes to Jacob Albright and his co-laborers as preaching places and were the first Evangelical works to open in this region.

The Creation of Circuits

In the year 1804, the Evangelical Church divided into two great circuits.  Previously there were no districts or separate circuits.  The new circuit, Northumberland Circuit, extended up the West Branch of the Susquehanna River to Lock Haven and the North Branch of the Susquehanna River to Luzerne County.  It extended south into Perry and Juniata counties and westward into Bedford and Cambria counties.  This circuit laid the foundation for a large portion of today’s present Central Pennsylvania Conference as well as part of the Western Pennsylvania Conference.

At this time, there were four ministers in the Evangelical Church: Reverends Jacob Albright, John Walter, Abraham Liesser, and Alex Jameson.  The total membership of the Church was sixty.  Prior to 1804, there were no appointments or assignments of certain charges to the various pastors.  Each traveled and preached as time and circumstances permitted.  When the new circuit formed, it is possible that there was a division of the work among the four preachers.  Perhaps two served the new circuit while the other two served the old circuit that included the southern region of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and the section of Virginia that later became West Virginia.

It was not until 1806 that the decision was made to hold regular annual conferences.  From that time, the pastors were assigned to their places of service for one year.  In 1806, the Rev. George Miller assumed the appointment to the Northumberland Circuit of which present day Columbia County was a part.  Finding the field too large for effective work, he did not serve the appointments in Bedford County.  During this year, he had over one hundred conversions, which almost doubled the membership of the Church.  As time would permit, the circuit rider would visit his appointments in the region of Berwick.  By the time of Jacob Albright’s death in 1808, over fifty preaching places existed in the Northumberland Circuit.

Revival of 1811

In the year 1811, the first revival of real importance occurred in this region.  This revival was held in the home of George Zehner at Summer Hill.  This revival resulted in a large number of conversions and the organization of a class, which was known as the Summer Hill Class.

Northumberland Circuit Divided

In 1814, the Northumberland Circuit was divided into smaller circuits and at that time lost its name.  The work of this section was then included in the district covered by the Union Circuit.  Henry Neibel and John Klinefelter were the appointed pastors.  The total membership of the Church at that time was 1,016 and thirteen itinerant preachers.

In 1815, the conference district was divided into two presiding elder districts.  One district named "Canaan" and the other named "Salem".  Biblical names rather than geographical were used, but experience soon led them to change the names of the districts to geographical names.  Union Circuit, of which this section was a part, was in Salem district.

Columbia Circuit Formed

The first church of the denomination was built at New Berlin in 1816.  At this time, the work in this section became separated from Union Circuit having grown to the extent that it was made a separate circuit and was called Columbia Circuit, a name that it has kept for 192 years.  It is not known how many preaching places the Circuit consisted of at that time.  Rev. P. Schmidt was appointed pastor of Columbia Circuit and was the first pastor to serve this circuit under its present name.

The earliest record of the extent of the Columbia Circuit is given in a historical record in the Conference Journal of 1883.  Excerpts from this historical sketch follow: "In the year of 1839 General Conference was held in Mosser's Church near Millheim, Centre County, Pennsylvania.  At that time, the Evangelical Association consisted of but two conferences - the "Eastern Conference" and the 'Western Conference".  There were eighty itinerant preachers, thirty-six circuits, two stations, four missions, and nine Presiding Elder Districts, and membership of 7,859.  The Society had no Bishop.  Thomas Buck, whose son Harry W. Buck became the first pastor of Bower Memorial Evangelical Church in Berwick, was elected chairman of this conference and George Brickley secretary.”

The record of Columbia Circuit at this conference is the following:  "Alex Longsdorf and John Noecker served this charge, which embraced the territory west of the North Branch and east of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River, as far north as the Loyalsock Creek.  In this territory there are now seven appointments: Hughesville, Milton, Danville, Bloomsburg, New Columbus, Columbia, and Berwick.”  This record gives an idea of the extent of Columbia Circuit at the time of the organization of the Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church in 1839.

Seventeen Preaching Points

Many of the older appointments, which once were part of Columbia Circuit, grew so rapidly that they soon became stations and required the services of a full-time pastor.  As these appointments became stations, the territory embraced by Columbia Circuit became smaller until it finally included only Columbia County and the nearby section of Luzerne County.

The diligent pastors who served Columbia Circuit were continually seeking new preaching places to bring the Gospel to all whom they could possibly reach.  This caused the Circuit to be a strong circuit even though many of its churches were becoming stations.  Nineteen years after the conference was organized, the Circuit had almost a new list of preaching places.  Rev. H. A. Dietterich, who entered the ministry from Columbia Circuit, gives the following list of preaching places on the Circuit in his autobiography "Wonders of Grace" as they were found in 1858:

  1. Evansville Church
  2. Summer Hill Church
  3. Moore School House
  4. Ebenezer Church
  5. Whitmire School House
  6. Heimbach School House, near Danville
  7. White Hall Church
  8. Mench's private house
  9. Church in Jerseytown
  10. Mordansville School House
  11. Kershner's private house
  12. Salem Church, Unityville
  13. Union Church
  14. Robinson School House
  15. Wagner School House
  16. Richart School House
  17. Fishing Creek School House

It is seen that this list contains seven church buildings, eight schoolhouses, and two private homes as the preaching places.  Two preachers, the Reverends E. B. Wilson and G. P. Weber, served the circuit.  Knob Mountain School House should also be added to the list, as H. A. Dietterich was superintendent of the Sunday School in 1858 before entering the ministry.  This would make eighteen appointments.

The parsonage at Evansville was in existence at this time, having been built sometime before 1858.  H. A. Dietterich as a young man helped to build it.  Rev. Wilson occupied it in 1858.

It was in this year H. A. Dietterich was converted in the Evansville Church and was received into that church as a member.  In the fall of the same year, he entered the ministry of the Evangelical Church.  He finished that year as the junior pastor of Columbia Circuit.  Rev. Weber became discouraged earlier in the year and went home leaving the large circuit in charge of Rev. Wilson alone.  When H. A. Dietterich expressed a call to the ministry, he was immediately invited by Rev. Wilson to serve as the junior preacher.  Starting with little preparation, the reality of his call to preach was soon evident in his marvelous success and the speed with which he acquired ability.  He preached his first sermon in the house of Mr. Mench, a regular preaching place at that time, located about three miles from Jerseytown.  He was much disturbed in preaching his first sermon when some young people talked and laughed quite freely, thinking they found amusement in his preaching.  However, after the service, he learned that it was caused by a boy who cut off the ears of a cat while it lay sleeping by the stove.  After this he served certain sections of the circuit alone while the regular pastor served other appointments.  His first trip alone was to the northern end of the circuit. On horseback, he traveled twenty miles to reach the first appointment on Saturday night and preached at three other appointments Sunday.

Circuit Continues to Change

In March 1859, conference again detached a large section of the Columbia Circuit forming the Montour Circuit.  With less traveling required, it was possible to allow a more concentrated effort on the region of Columbia County and westward Luzerne County.

No record of preaching places seems available for the period following 1859 until 1867 during the pastorate of Rev. A. H. Irvin.  He leaves the record of nineteen organized preaching places or classes.  It is possible that he served more appointments than the nineteen listed in his record, but some never developed into an organized class.  The nineteen classes on the Columbia Circuit in 1867 are as follows:

  1. Centerville Class (Lime Ridge Evangelical Church)
  2. Berwick Class (Bower Memorial Church)
  3. Beach Haven Class
  4. Afton Class (Almedia Evangelical Church)
  5. Bloomsburg Class
  6. Creveling Cross Roads Class (Lightstreet–Fowlersville Road and Hidlay’s Church Road)
  7. New Columbus Class
  8. Evansville Class
  9. Ebenezer Class
  10. Foundryville Class
  11. Harrisburg Class (Stone Church)
  12. Forks Class
  13. Light Street Class
  14. Orangeville Class
  15. Salem Class (Moore’s Church)
  16. Stoney Batery Class (Mingle Inn Road)
  17. Summer Hill Class
  18. Whitmire Class
  19. Vallershamp Class (Mount Pleasant)

Several other known classes once were part of Columbia Circuit.  There was a class called Hill’s Class, which worshipped in Hill’s School House.  It was located along the road from Stone Church to Mingle Inn.  A class was also organized at Jonestown.  They used the schoolhouse that stood opposite the Methodist Church.  This class was discontinued soon after the Methodist Church was built.  In later years, a class organized at Knob Mountain School House and was a strong class.  This class intended to build a church, but a dispute arose over the selection of a site.  The class disbanded and never reorganized.

The last known class served by Columbia Circuit and to originate as part of the Circuit was North Berwick (Bethany).  This brings the total number of preaching places that once were part of the Columbia Circuit to twenty-three.  This includes the preaching appointments from 1867 to 1901.

Today’s Columbia Circuit

After 1901, the many classes formed stations, were organized into other circuits, or disbanded.  In December 1959, fire destroyed the Moore’s Hill Church.  On March 1, 2007, Evansville Church left the charge leaving three churches making up the present Columbia Circuit: Ebenezer, Stone, and Summerhill Evangelical.

Columbia Circuit Parsonage

The conference of the year 1826 ordered parsonages built on every circuit where practical.  It is not definitely known when the parsonage for Columbia Circuit was established.  The original parsonage was built at Evansville sometime between 1850 and 1857.  The first parsonage was eventually removed and a new parsonage was built.  In 1914 during the pastorate of Rev. W. K. Shultz, a new parsonage was purchased on Garfield Avenue in Berwick for $1,700.  This was done in part so that the pastor’s children could have the advantage of better schools including a high school.  In 1973, a new parsonage was purchased at 1119 East 6th Street, Berwick.  During the pastorate of Rev. James F. Kremer, the present parsonage was purchased in 1989 at 348 Martzville Road, Berwick.  Currently the parsonage is being used as the charge office.

Camp Meetings Part of Church Life in Early Days

In the development of the Evangelical Church in this region, camp meetings were an important factor.  The early road that extended from Mingle Inn and followed the southern slope of Summerhill through Moore's Hill, Foundryville, Evansville, and Fowlersville to Lightstreet provided locations of the early camp meeting grounds.

In these camp meeting grounds, people used tents for shelter while the services were held in the open.  A large elevated pine wood fire provided light.

Formation of Current Ebenezer Church

 “Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far has the Lord helped us." 
1 Samuel 7:12

The countryside that has as its hub Ebenezer United Methodist Church was settled in the late seventeen and early eighteen hundreds by second-generation German immigrants.  From their inception, these hard working pioneers had a strong belief in God.  As soon as they had secured their homes, they began to meet together in classes to worship.  The current Ebenezer Church was established from the outgrowth of two classes of the Evangelical Association: the Whitmire Class and the Ebenezer (Shelhamer) Class.  The Whitmire Class worshipped at the Old Whitmire School House.  The school was located west of the present church where the New Ebenezer Cemetery is located.  Per Rev. A. H. Irvin’s 1867 record, there were thirty-three members in the class with Daniel B. Whitmire serving as class leader.  The Shelhamer Class worshiped in the old original Ebenezer Church, which was located approximately a mile east of the present church building in the area of the former Zenzel’s General Store.  This church was built in 1848 during the pastorate of Rev. E. Kohr and Rev. A. Vallershamp.  The church was most likely constructed of logs.  Nothing remains of this structure.  However, remnants of the Old Ebenezer Cemetery can still be found.  The class leader in 1867 was J. Milton Bower.  Among the forty-five members, seventeen bore the name ”Bower”.  When the Whitmire Class and the Shelhamer Class first united, they met in the Old Whitmire School House until the new church was constructed.

The site of the new church is located on State Route 93 between Orangeville and Berwick, on land purchased for $175.00 from Daniel B. Whitmire and his wife Mary.  The trustees were Samuel C. Bower, Isaac Whitmire, and Allen Shelhamer.  The cornerstone of the new Ebenezer United Evangelical Church was laid on August 29, 1880.  The new church, dedicated in January 1881, was one-room with no basement or bell tower.  Samuel Bower and his son J. Milton Bower were the carpenters.

Ebenezer Continued to Change and Grow

A new roof was placed on the church and the interior of the building was repapered in 1912 at a cost of $125.  In July 1920, the lighting system was “modernized” with the installation of a carbide system.  This replaced the kerosene lamps formerly used for lighting.  A vestibule was added on to the east side of the church in 1923.

In 1925 came major changes and improvements.  In September, a new piano was purchased to enhance the singing.  This replaced the original foot pumped organ.  The pulpit area was extended with the addition of a choir platform.  Brussels carpeting was installed.  Both the exterior and interior of the church were painted.  Services were held temporarily in the Whitmire School House several Sundays during October and November.  No services were held on several occasions.  The presiding Elder, W.J. Campbell, came October 18 for communion, so it was decided to heat the church with four kerosene heaters.  This required two people, Mahlon Whitmire and Lester Beishline, to watch the heaters for several hours before the service began.  In the fall months, a chimney was laid and a hot-air coal furnace was installed and in use by November 22.  Rubber matting was placed down the middle isle.  Bishop M.T. Maze conducted a Re-opening service on December 13.  The total cost for improvements that year was $1,298, which was promptly paid.

In 1934, the decorative metal ceiling was installed and the platform extended to the north side of the pulpit at the cost of $258.  In addition, railings were put across the front platform and new railings with curtains were affixed in the corner for the beginners Sunday School class.  That September, the sanctuary was further enhanced with the beautiful painting of “Christ at Gethsemane” by R.R. Doty.  The church was electrically wired with the coming of power lines at a cost of $96.20 in the spring of 1936.

Following World War II, major changes occurred both to the building and to the Church in general.  In 1946, the Evangelical Church and the United Brethren Church united to form the Evangelical United Brethren Church.  In 1949, additional room was needed, and it proved to be a year of enlargement.  A new vestibule, coatroom/classroom, nursery, balcony, and belfry were added.  The Old Whitmire School Bell was installed.  A basement was put under the new addition.  An oil-fired furnace was installed and a new well was dug.  The sanctuary was repapered, ceiling painted, and new carpet and altar rail installed.  The exterior was painted.  The total cost was approximately $9,500.  A Rededication Service was held on Homecoming Day, November 20, 1949.  The basement was expanded under the rest of the building in 1952.  This created a large social/class room area, kitchen, and included indoor restrooms.

On April 23, 1968, the United Methodist Church was created when Bishop Reuben H. Mueller, representing the Evangelical United Brethren Church, and Bishop Lloyd C. Wicke of the Methodist Church joined hands at the constituting General Conference in Dallas, Texas.  With the words, "Lord of the Church, we are united in Thee, in Thy Church and now in the United Methodist Church," the new denomination was given birth by two churches that had distinguished histories and influential ministries in various parts of the world.  Because of the merger, several families withdrew their membership to form a new church “Ebenezer Faith Bible Church”.

During the early 1970’s, the Church became an unfortunate victim of several robberies and vandalism.  On one occasion, the sanctuary was desecrated.  The Christian and American flags were taken along with the altar cross, offering plates, and candlesticks.  The bulletin board outside the church was damaged and was removed.  In 1985, a new brick bulletin board was installed in front of the church.  In addition, a wheel chair ramp and new railings were installed at the front entrance of the church at that time.

In early 2002, the congregation was experiencing uncertainty.  Dwindling membership and lack of spiritual leadership had taken its toll on the congregation’s morale.  In this adversity the members came together to discuss and pray for what needed to be done to turn this situation around.  At this time, it was decided that some major improvements to the church building would be necessary to help attract new members.  A restroom on the first floor was created.  The vestibule, coatroom, upstairs restroom, nursery, stairway, and balcony received new paint and flooring.  This was all completed in time for Christmas Eve.

The year 2004 brought much needed improvements to the church building.  Not since the periods of construction in 1949 and 1952, had Ebenezer experienced as much physical change.  With an apparent end to the water problem that plagued the basement since its installation, it was decided to renovate the basement.  A loan for $35,000 was obtained from Columbia County Farmers National Bank to help fund this project.  Frank Hunsinger Construction was hired as the general contractor.  Work began in March and was completed by August.  Total cost of the project was $53,500.  The basement area received new walls, ceilings, electrical fixtures and wiring, windows, and additional kitchen cabinets.  The rear stairwell was finished and a stair lift was installed.  The basement restrooms were also renovated.  New carpet and floor tile were installed throughout the basement.  Two new wall ovens and a new electric range were installed.

Work was done elsewhere as well.  The vestibule received wainscoting, the balcony ceiling was repaired, and the balcony railing was replaced.  The draperies around the painting of “Christ at Gethsemane” were removed.  Additional microphone jacks were added to the sound system.  On October 23, 2004, a “Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication” was held to honor the Lord and thank the many individuals responsible for the work that was completed during the previous three years.  The improvements to the sound system were dedicated in remembrance of Eva Shultz who was instrumental in the purchase of the original system in 1992.  The stair lift, which was purchased by monies from the Memorial Fund, was dedicated in memory of Barbara Connor, Karl Dohl, Laura Ethel Dohl, Ida Fink, Virginia Girton, Edith Richards, Jordan Rough, Charles Slusser, Glenn Whitmire, and Eldora Young.

Ebenezer Today and Future

Many changes have occurred during Ebenezer’s 125 years.  We have had many joys as well as some sorrows.  Together united as members of the “Family of God”, we have persevered.  With a new millennium came a new enthusiasm. Ebenezer adopted a Mission Statement on November 10, 2002.

We are a Church of disciples of Jesus Christ in which all are a member of the Family of God.  We believe the Bible is the one true word.  Our doors are open to all people.  We spread God’s love through local, regional, and world missions.  Our goal is to reach out to the unsaved in the local community and to provide them spiritual well being.

We confirmed in writing what we have been doing for several years.  Since 1993, Ebenezer has placed a stronger emphasis on missions, in not only the local and regional, but also the world community.  To date, $83,855 has been given to sixty-seven separate causes.  In addition to monetary support, the congregation has supported local food banks, supported the local fire company, helped at area soup kitchens, and ministered to the shut-ins and those in nursing homes.

Many projects to improve the church building have taken place in the past few years.  We have placed a stronger emphasis on our Sunday School programs, for both youth and adults.  We have become more involved with our sister churches on the charge.  It is our hope that these changes will make the Church more inviting to all ages.  We have been blessed with many individuals with many different talents.  With these talents, we will be able to fulfill our mission – “Being a Church of disciples of Jesus Christ in which all are a member of the Family of God”.

Proud of Our Ministers from Ebenezer

Ebenezer is proud to have three ministers develop from our congregation.  Rev. Aaron Bower was the first minister to come from Ebenezer.  The second is Rev. Donald W. Miller, who served various appointments during the 1970’s and 1980’s. Pastor Don officially retired in 1988, but since then had been called upon to serve where needed.  His last appointment was to the Lime Ridge United Methodist Church during 2000-2001.  Pastor Don passed away in April 2007.  The third minister is Rev. Mark D. Powlus, the pastor of Paxinos Bible Church since 1996.  Pastor Mark retains his membership with Ebenezer.  On occasion, we have been blessed with Mark and his family leading us in special events.

Portions of this page are from
“Columbia Circuit Mother of Region Churches”, May 19, 1938
 Rev. Warren L. Baughman, Sr. - Pastor of Columbia Circuit from 1936-1941