This church is located in North Coventry, PA about 3 miles west of Pottstown, PA, which is about 50 minutes west of Philadelphia. This church played an active part in the early Stubblebines’ lives in the early to mid 1800′s.
The Battle Axes actually marched in protest in full nudity down the isle of this church on a Sunday afternoon in the early 1840′s to show their disdain for marriage, believing that marriage was of man, and not of god – monogamy was not natural
Many Stubblebines are interred at this cemetary.
Photo source: Daily Local News, Sunday, March 29, 1987
Excerpt from the book: THE HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY CHURCHES
During the early years of the world's history, God made men's lives so long that they could tell the
events of one generation to the children of the next. Mankind, then, it seems, possessed a memory suffici-
ently tenacious to retain what they thus heard. But in our own age, men no longer depend upon memory.
Everything must be recorded in books and writing, so that it becomes an easy matter to refer at once to
the history of any event or circumstance.
In writing the history of Shenkel's Reformed Church, the work would have been greatly facilitated had we
in our possession any such written records. Our only sources of information are the traditions that are in
possession of the present generation, and such facts as could be remembered by two aged members of the old
church. To a certain extent this is uncertain, but we have sifted it, and what is here given is in brief the
history of Shenkel's church.
Prior to the year 1835, no regular religious services were held in this part of Chester county. About this
time, however, Rev. John C. Guldin. pastor of Brownback's and other Reformed churches in Chester county,
held occasional services in what is now called Shenkel's school-house, and also in the village of Stump
Town, now called Cedarville. For about two years, Rev. Guldin labored in this community, and aroused
considerable interest among the people. The field was large, and the opportunity for doing good was
encouraging, so that the people decided to have the means of grace administered more frequently and with
greater regularity.
With this end in view, a public meeting was held in the house of Edward Posey, to consider the advisability
of organizing a German Reformed church. This meeting was well attended and a lively interest manifested by all.
It was accordingly decided to form a congregation which should be known as " The Second
German Reformed Church in Coventry township." At that time there was but one township where now
there are three.
Henry Sabold, Jr., and Philip Kingkerger were elected elders of the church, and Edward Posey and
Lewis Spiese were elected deacons, all of whom were duly ordained and installed into their offices by Rev.
John C. Guldin, on December 11, 1837.
About this time a series of special evangelistic meetings were held, when the spirit of God was poured out
on the people, and many conversions took place,eleven of whom united with the church.
For some time the members had been contemplating the building of a house of worship. The accommodations
afforded by the school-house were no longer sufficient to meet the demands of the growing congregation.
Accordingly, at a meeting of the congregation held on January 1, 183S, a proposition for building a house of worship was submitted and finally
accepted. A committee consisting of Henry Spiese and Edward Posey were to erect a building suitable
to the needs of the congregation.
The committee purchased a small tract of land from the farm known as Shenkel's farm, since made
memorable by the committal of a brutal murder. The grandfather of the present treasurer of the congregation,
Henry Spiese, who was deeply interested in the work and may be called the father of the church, was appointed-builder.
Ever since the organization of the congregation, the office of treasurer was held by Spieses,
with the exception of a few years. Plans were soon agreed upon, and willing hands and hearts
took hold of the work and carried it forward, so that on Monday, June 4, 1838, the cornerstone was
laid. A copy of the Old and New Testament, a hymnbook of the German Reformed church, a Heidelberg
catechism, and a constitution of the German Reformed Church in North America, were placed in it. The
officiating ministers on that occasion were Rev. John C. Guldin, who preached from Matt. 21,44:
and Rev.Jacob Ziegler, who preached from Col. 1, 28. The work was pushed forward with rapidity, and completed
in the winter of the same year. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. John C. Guldin. The
total cost of lot, building, etc., was ;$ 1734.2 1.
Of those who started the church in 1837,only two remain — Mr. Samuel Rigg and Mr. Jacob S. Root,
one of the carpenters who aided in building the first church.
For some time after Rev. Guldin ceased his work here, the congregation was without any regular minister,
being supplied by different men. Early in the forties Rev. E. D. Smith preached for the people.
Being inclined toward Methodism and advocating the same, a division sprang up in the congregation, and
each party made strenuous efforts to keep possession of the church. Up to this time the congregation had
not been incorporated. The dissenting party seized upon this as their opportunity to gain possession, and
at once set about securing a charter. But the Reformed people forestalled them in this by arriving in
Chester one day before their opponents, thus saving to the Reformed church a congregation which has proved
itself a zealous and earnest people. The charter was granted on the 7th day of August, 1843.
Those who were not satisfied with the Reformed mode of worship, took their departure, leaving but a
half-dozen families to carry on the work. But the Lord was with the faithful few in Zion, and greatly
blessed them. Shortly after this disturbance, the Methodists built a church on an eminence a short
distance north of Shenkel's, and called it the Temple Church. At this time a brotherly feeling exists
between the pastors and people of both churches.
The following ministers, of whom little information can be found, supplied the pulpit until 1855:
Revs. Jacob W. Hougcn, Andrew S. Young, John S. Folk, W. R. Work and David HefHefinger.
On January 24, 1855, Rev. William Sorber was called to the pastorate of this charge, which then
consisted of three churches, viz: Brownback's, Shenkel's and St. Peter's.
During the years 1866 and 1867, special meetings were held in the church, and many accessions were
lade. During the latter part of Rev. Sorber's ministry here, it became evident that the work of looking
after three churches extending over so large a territory,is too much for one man, and his health began to
fail. The congregations then decided to secure an assistant for
Mr. Sorber. His son. Rev. Geo. S. Sorber located in Watsontown, Pa., had then just
completed his Theological studies at Ursinus College,and the congregations, thinking that no better person
could be found, called him to become the assistant to his father in June, 1878. The last year of his life
Mr,Sorber was unable to preach much. On December 7, \, the Lord called him higher to receive his reward
and the "well done" of his Master, whom he had served so long and faithfully. His ministry to this
people continued through twenty-three years. Not only was he beloved by the members of his congregations,
but by his warm and genial character he ingratiated himself in the hearts of every one with whom
he came in contact. ** Though dead, he yet speaketh in the lives and characters he endeavored to mould
into the image of his Lord; and in the judgment day many will rise up and call his name blessed.
Rev. Geo. S. Sorber was called to the pastorate in January, 1879, ^^^ continued pastor of this charge until
February, 1886. The old church, though hallowed by memories of the past, and precious to the hearts of
the aged, had become antiquated, so that during Rev. Sorber's pastorate it was decided to enlarge and re-
model it. In the months of July and August, 1884, the old building was torn down to the floor, and the
work of rebuilding was at once begun. So rapid was the work, that by September 30, 1884,
the members of the congregation were ready to lay the cornerstone. Rev. Geo. S. Sorber was assisted on
this occasion by Rev. L. K. Evans, of Trinity Reformed Church, Pottstown, who preached the sermon. By December
21, the basement of the church was completed and dedicated with appropriate ceremonies. By the Spring
of 1885, the auditorium was ready for occupancy, and was dedicated to the service of God on March 15,
1885. Notwithstanding the fact that the day was dull and rainy, the church was filled with an interested and
appreciative audience. The late Rev. J. H. A. Bomberger, D. D., then president of Ursinus College,
preached the dedicatory sermon from the text, Ezra Revs. E, D. Wettach
assisted at the service, ■
The present structure is Gothic is fifty-four by forty-one amendment for the Sunday-school
and one-half feet. The style, and in size
and one-half feet, with a basement of thirty-three by forty-one
windows are of rolled cathedral glass, the floor is carpeted, the pews cushioned.
and the walls beautifully frescoed. The total cost of the building was about 83,300. Nearly all this sum
was paid by the time of dedication. Three hundred dollars, however, remain, but the consistory is now
making an effort to clear out this debt, and it is hoped
that before another year has come this will be a thing
of the past.
On June 20, i885, Rev. Ja.'i. W. Meminger was
ordained and installed pastor of this charge, but after
a stay of little more than one year, he resigned to
accept a call to St. Paul's, Lancaster, where he is now
laboring with much success.
In September, 1887, Rev. A. D. Wolfinger, then a
student in Ursinus Theological Seminary, began to
supply the congregation until November 30, 1887,
when he was elected pastor, to begin his work upon
the completion of his studies. On June 3, 1888. he
was installed pastor of the charge in this church. The
sermon was preached by Rev. E. D. Wettach. Dur-
ing Rev. Wolfinger's pastorate, a movement was set
on foot to divide the charge, as one man could not
give proper attention to the spiritual needs of the
people. Up to this time, preaching service was held
only every other week. Finally, after much debate,
Philadelphia Classis, at a special meeting held in Phil-
adelphia, January 15, 1 891, divided the charge, for the
time leaving this church by itself Rev. Wolfinger is
now successfully laboring in Thornville, Ohio.
St. Paul's Reformed Church, Birdsboro, was about
to become vacant, and Philadelphia Classis petitioned
Lebanon Classis to cede this church to them with the
purpose of uniting it with Shenkel's, and thus form a
self-sustaining charge. Lebanon Classis granted the
request, but after much negotiation it was deemed
inadvisable to unite the two churches, and St. Paul's
church was returned to Lebanon Classis. Shenkel's
was again left alone. The people of this church were
growing despondent, and about ready to succumb to
the inevitable. " It's an ill wind, however, that does
not blow some one good.". The troubles of the con-
gregation awakened the people, and they possessed
their souls in patience and determined to succeed.
About this time the present pastor, Rev. W. H. Stubblebine
began to supply the congregation, and finally,
in July, a congregational meeting was held, and a
unanimous vote was cast for Rev. W. H. Stubblebine.
It was impossible, however, for the congregation to
support a man themselves, and a petition was sent to
Philadelphia Classis for sustentation. At a special
meeting, classis did not see its way clear to grant the
request, and made a second attempt to unite the church
with St. Peter's (Warwick) but after much debate this was
dropped as inadvisable. Finally, through the liberality of an elder
in Heidelberg church, Philadelphia, who
promised to give $50 toward the first year's sustentation.
classis granted the request. This was good news
to the members, and at once inspired them with new
courage. Rev. W. H. Stubbiebine accepted the call,
and on Sabbath afternoon, August 3, i8gi, was or-
dained to the gospel ministry and installed as pastor
of this congregation by Rev. Jas. I. Good, D. D., of
Reading, and Rev. John SecHler, of Philadelphia.
The first work that demanded instant attention was
the thorough organization of the church forces. The
consistory was increased from four to eight, and a set
of By-Laws were adopted and printed in connection
with the Constitution of the church. Services are now
held every Sabbath, church prayer meeting is held
every week, and an active Y. P. S. C. E. is held every
Sabbath evening.
Among other things that demanded immediate at-
tention, was the Sunday-school. This department of
the church had run down completely, and there was
little prospect of building it up unless the Sunday-
school room could be remodeled. The entire room
a dilapidated condition. The officers and
teachers of the school were organized into a permanent
association, and they at once began to lay plans for
the remodeling of the room. Money to the amount
of $Sg was collected by subscription to pay for new
chairs. To secure sufficient funds to make the con-
templated alteration, it was decided to hold an " Apron
Bazaar" in Pottstown, on November 13 and 14, 1891.
The senices of the Ursinus College Glee Club were
called into requisition, and aided very much to make
it a success. Nearly $150 were realized from the
bazaar, which, with moneys realized from other sources,
gave the association nearly $300 to expend in the work.
As soon as the money was assured, work was begun
and carried on until the whole room was completely
transformed. The most gratifying thing about it all
was the good will and earnestness that animated one
and all. In union there is strength.
The room was formally dedicated on Sunday Jan. 3,
1892, by the pastor, with a sermon on Neh. iv, 6.
The room is now beautiful and attractive and a hearty
interest is manifest by all.
For three weeks, beginning Jan. 11, 1892, special
evangelistic services were held in this church. The
pastor was assisted in these meetings on three nights
by Rev. Dr. Good, Rev. Dr. Williard and Rev. Rufus
Miller. A feeling of deep interest and solemnity was
manifest in these meetings and the Holy Spirit was
mightily at work in convicting sinners. The meetings
concluded on Sunday, Jan. 31, with the Lord's Supper
and the reception of new members. Twelve were added
by profession of faith, one of whom was an old man
82 years of age, who thinks nothing of walking three
miles to church. Two were added by renewal of pro-
fession and three by letter, making in all seventeen.
The past is encouraging, the present prosperous and
the future full of bright hopes, which it is hoped will,
under the blessing of God, become living realities.
Source: A HISTORY OF THE Reformed Churches IN CHESTER COUNTY COMPILED AND EDITED BY
J. LEWIS FLUCK Pastor of St. Matthew's and St. Paul's Reformed Churches Anselma, Pa.
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