Church History
The village of Stonerstown, at the edge of Saxton, PA, became the home for two Brethren Women in 1880. Mrs. Mary Fockler, a member of Woodbury, and Mrs. Susan Keely, of Yellow Creek, were soon joined by more Brethren sisters who had taken up residency in Stonerstown: Mrs. Catherine Ritchey, Mrs. Mary Smith, Mrs. Rebecca Smouse, and Mrs. Hannah White. At first, these dedicated ladies trekked the three miles to worship at the Raven Run church. However, it soon became apparent that a ministry to these ladies and their families should take place in Stonerstown.
Several ministers from neighboring Brethren congregations began ministering to this group of six families. The work of those ministers: George Brumbaugh and Samuel Ritchey from Yellow Creek and John Fluck and David Clapper from Snake Spring, soon began to bear fruit. In 1893, this small group of dedicated families rented an old Lutheran Church and had a revival meeting with Silas Hoover as the evangelist.
Two years later another family, Mr. and Mrs. George Dilling, moved from Raven Run to Stonerstown, strengthening that group. It was with their persuasion that Raven Run was finally convinced to purchase the old abandoned Lutheran Church building in 1895 for three hundred dollars. On May 26, 1901 the mission point was organized into a congregation.
Early preachers included William I. Book, principal of Stonerstown High School. John B. Brumbaugh, a Bible professor at Juniata College, became the “Elder” of the group. At District Conference, he reported that Stonerstown had sixteen members with a need for a regular pastor to minister there to the people.
In 1907, William A. Gaunt accepted a call, moving from Huntingdon to Stonerstown for a monthly salary of $10.00. But his pastorate was terminated in 1909 because the congregation could not pay him.
Although the membership was nearly one hundred, a strike by trainmen of the Huntingdon and Broad Top Railroad brought on a local depression. Miss Dessa Ritchey wrote a booklet, Stonerstown Church of the Brethren: Its Beginning. (It was written as a Christmas gift for her family in 1962.) She described what happened as a result of the strike and depression. “The next year some of the most active members moved from the community to secure better employment.”
During those difficult years the pastoral leadership was provided by Herman B. Heisey, who came in September 1911 and served until the autumn of 1912, when he and his wife sailed to India as missionaries. The Reverend C. O. Berry, a professor at Juniata College, then served until 1914. The congregation was blessed having such outstanding churchmen ministering to them.
It was in October 1914, that the congregation voted to purchase the lot where they planned to build. An additional lot was obtained, purchased by S. B. Ritchey, to prevent other buildings from being erected near the church. The need for the building was urgent. It was decided to build a brick cased structure (43’ x 64’) with a basement, steam heat, electricity, and an indoor baptistery behind the pulpit. The building, with its bell tower, cost $8,495. It was dedicated on August 27, 1916. Five thousand dollars was raised toward the debt on the day of the dedication.
Several interesting projects were undertaken to help pay for the new building. The Women’s Bible Class, taught by Stella Ritchey, quilted a day each week and served lunches to anyone, including the Stonerstown school teachers. Another project was the cleaning of the Stonerstown school building.
In 1915, Reverend John Harris of Staunton, VA began his work as pastor. In the denominations periodical, Gospel Messenger, it was stated that “brother Harris...carefully managed every detail and worked hard” while the church was going up. His pastorate, during which the congregation “grew rapidly” came to a close in 1925. The building debt was cleared the next year, on the tenth anniversary Sunday.
Pastors who have Served the Congregation:
