fraktur folk art fraktur folk art - Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center

The
FRAKTUR
FOLK ART
Unique Ornamental
Embellishment
SCHWENKFELDER LIBRARY
& HERITAGE CENTER
Fraktur Collection

2
The
WINTER 2011 VOLUME 111 NUMBER 1
Editor: Gerald A. Heebner
Business Manager: Michelle Pritt
Design: Robin Hepler, robindesign@rcn.com
Artist: Frank Batson
Photographer: Lee Schultz
Reporters:
William Potts, IV, Central
Rev. Edward O. Winslow, Missionary
Leah Tyson, Olivet
Karen Kriebel, Palm
Diana Weir-Smith, Perkiomen School
Glenna R. Fulmer, In Retrospect
Publication Committee
Rev. David W. Luz, Chair
Jean S. Ross, Secretary
Luanne Stauffer, Treasurer
Publication Office
Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center
105 Seminary Street
Pennsburg, PA 18073-1898
THE SCHWENKFELDIAN is published during the
Winter, Spring, and Fall quarters by the
General Conference of the Schwenkfelder
Church, under the direction of the Publication
Committee, in the interest of the churches.
Material presented in this magazine does not
necessarily represent the beliefs and teachings
of Schwenckfeld or the Schwenkfelder Church.
If you move, please advise us promptly, giving
both your old and new addresses to ensure
uninterrupted delivery. To discontinue mailings,
email info@schwenkfelder.com or call 215-
679-3103.
$12.00 per year, $5.00 per copy. Free to each
Schwenkfelder Church member household.
ABOUT OUR COVER
Fraktur art was created by Pennsylvania
Germans principally from the mid-18th
to the mid-19th centuries. The name is
derived from a German script marked
by fractured pen strokes and the form
has clear roots in European folk culture.
Generally, the text of the piece is central
to the composition and is surrounded by
ornamental embellishment. In the United
States, Fraktur blossomed into a uniquely
rich, colorful, and iconographic form of
expression that was used to mark life
events such as births, baptisms, graduations,
and other special occasions.
WINTER 2011
In this Issue
▼
DANIEL SUDERMANN
Exploring the literary history, poems, 3
and publications of a devoted South
German Schwenkfelder.
▼
VORSCHRIFTEN 6
Samples from the Fraktur
collection of the Schwenkfelder
Library & Heritage Center.
T R A D I T I O N S
▼
KING OF INSTRUMENTS 14
Palm Schwenkfelder Church
dedicates a new organ.
CHURCH BRIEFS 16
Updates from Central,
Olivet, and Palm.
PERSONAL NOTES 18
Marriages, births, and deaths.
IN RETROSPECT 19
Looking back at the
accomplishments of members.
▼
UPCOMING EVENTS 20
Friends of the Schwenkfelder
Library & Heritage Center.
ISSN 0036 8032

Daniel DanielSudermann Sudermann
GERMAN SCHWENKFELDER
Over the centuries, several
people wrote in the blank space inside
the front cover of Caspar Schwenckfeld’s Bible. At
the very top of the space are lines, written in 1555, by
Schwenckfeld designating Kathrina Streicher as the heir of the Bible upon
his death. The large block of writing below Schwenckfeld’s lines is by Daniel
Sudermann, who tells whose hands the book passed through before it came to
him. On the title page, Sudermann wrote a poem in red ink just
to the right of the word Teutsch.
BY ALLEN VIEHMEYER
The vault in the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center holds hundreds of manuscripts
and books immensely important for understanding the social, political, and
literary history of the Schwenkfelders. The extensive collection of written and printed
documents is amazing and just ready to be mined for their stories about Schwenkfelders
throughout the centuries. Many, many stories about Schwenkfelder men and
women can be found among these treasures. One of these most interesting stories
is about Daniel Sudermann.
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SUDERMANN’S LIFE
Like most personages of sixteenth century Germany there are relatively
few details about Sudermann’s life. He, himself, left a few notes about his
life, but most of what is known has been gleaned from a variety of documents.
Sudermann was born in Liège, Belgium, near the German border
in 1550. His first language was French and he always lived in border
areas where French and German were spoken by the inhabitants. Almost
all of the manuscripts and publications authored by Sudermann
that survive to this day were written in German.
In 1624, Sudermann wrote a mini-autobiography:
“D.S. was born in 1550. He was Catholic, but in 1558 he went to
a Calvinist [Reformed Lutheran] school. He also went to hear
Evangelical Lutheran and Anabaptist sermons. In 1594, he came
to realize the truth [became a Schwenkfelder]. In 1624, he wrote
these lines. He was 74 years old and still strong, healthy, and
active. Praise Christ. 1628, 1629, God be praised 1630, 1631.”
Since this running commentary was no longer updated after 1631,
it is assumed that Sudermann died in 1632.
Sudermann’s father, Lambert (1520-1564), was an engraver
and goldsmith. He traveled extensively and spent much time at
the courts of German and French nobility, and Daniel seems to
have always traveled with him. While not of aristocratic background,
Daniel was acquainted with many noble families and moved easily
in their circles.
In 1559 or 1560, Sudermann received his first tonsure [hair clipping
or head shaving signifying admission to the clerical state—Ed.].
Like many young clergy of the day, Sudermann began his career by
working as a private tutor to the sons of nobility. Around 1581,
Sudermann took up residence permanently in Strassburg and lived
there for the remainder of his life. He took a teaching appointment
at the Bruderhof, a Lutheran boarding school for the sons of nobility.
During his early years in Strassburg, Sudermann began collecting,
copying, and publishing manuscript writings of mystics and
spiritualists. His favorite mystical theologian was Johannes Tauler
(c. 1300-1361); Caspar Schwenckfeld (1489/90-1561) was his favorite
spiritualist. Like Sudermann, Schwenckfeld, too, had been very interested
in the writings of Johannes Tauler. Early in his theological
studies, Schwenckfeld read and quoted often from Tauler’s sermons.
Finding inspiration and support in Tauler for his views
on communion, Schwenckfeld published an edition of Tauler’s
Christian Instruction in and an Understanding of the External
and Inner Word of God around 1550. Later Sudermann made a
manuscript copy of this very book, perhaps with the intention of
publishing his own edition.
In 1582, Sudermann visited the Barons von Freyberg where he
likely made his first acquaintance with Schwenckfeld writings. The
brothers had financed the first published collected works of Caspar
Schwenckfeld between 1564 and 1570. Soon after, between 1584 and
1589, Sudermann edited and reprinted five different Schwenckfeld
titles. He published or reprinted another 25 titles between 1590 and
1594, when, according to his mini-autobiography and exhaustive
study of Schwenckfeld’s writings, he became a Schwenkfelder.
Sudermann’s next project was devotional literature by mystical
writers. In 1592, the St. Nikolaus Convent closed in Strassburg and
Sudermann was, then, able to acquire a number of manuscripts of
writings by early mystical theologians. Between 1594 and 1610, he
studied the writings of Johannes Tauler (1300-1361), Meister Eckhart
(1260-1328), and Heinrich Seuse (1297-1366). One product of
WINTER 2011
Sudermann’s study of Johannes Tauler’s works was his reworking of a
Tauler poem (something he did quite often). Today, the poem is known
as “Es kommt ein Schiff geladen” (“A Ship is coming Full-Laden”). This
song, considered to be a Christmas carol, is a seasonal favorite in Germany
today—the only Christmas carol adapted/authored and published by
a Schwenkfelder poet.
EMBLEM BOOKS
Beginning in the early 1620s, Sudermann published a series of emblem
books, a type of fashionable devotional literature with texts and illustrations
for meditation. This was the result of his study of the mystical
writers. One of the more popular books published by him was the
Hohe geistreiche Lehren und Erklärungen: Ueber die fürnembsten Sprüche
des Hohen Lieds Salmononis, von der liebhabenden Seele, das ist, der
Christlichen Kirchen und ihrem Gemahl Jesu Christo. The title informs
the reader that he/she will find spiritualistic teachings and clarifications
about passages in the Song of Solomon, about the devoted soul, namely
the Christian Church and her groom Jesus Christ.
SCHWENCKFELD’S BIBLE
In 1609, or shortly thereafter, Caspar Schwenckfeld’s own personal Bible
came into Daniel Sudermann’s possession. Inside the front cover, he
penned a few lines to clarify what had happened to the book since
Schwenckfeld’s death nearly fifty years earlier. Schwenckfeld, himself,
designated that the Bible should go to Katharina Streicher, an old friend
in whose house in Ulm Schwenckfeld died. Upon her death, it passed to
John Heyd, a very close friend of Schwenckfeld and a fervent Schwenkfelder.
His heir was a Schwenkfelder minister, Daniel Friedrich, who
passed away in 1609 and had made Daniel Sudermann heir of his literary
legacy. Sudermann designated his own literary legacy to go to three
Schwenkfelder business partners in Nuremberg, Germany—Nikolaus
Pfaff, Johann Khuefuß, and Maria Janin. This would have happened when
Sudermann died around 1632. The Bible disappeared after Sudermann’s
death and did not reappear until 1890, when the library of Francis Frey
of Cotham near Bristol, England, was auctioned. How Mr. Frey acquired
the book is unknown.
On the title page of Schwenckfeld’s Bible, Sudermann
penned the following poem in his distinctive writing:
Herr Jesu Christ, die Schrifft sagt mir,
Was ich thun sol, nach deim begir
Das hilffts wenig, es seye dann,
Du wirkst in mir alls thun und lasn,
Nach willen dein, von oben her.
Sunst ich zu dir käm, nimmer mehr.
Dan ohn Hoffnung, Glauben und Liebe,
Dein eigne Gab, Ich von dir bliebe’
Solches geschenck, wöllest mir gebn,
So hab ich schon dz ewig lebn,
Welches allein, du warlich bist:
O Gottes Sohn, Herr Jesu Christ.
— D.S.
Pictured from left to right: the title page from Daniel Sudermann’s 1622 publication
of the Song of Solomon with Mattüs Jäckel’s ownership signature at
the bottom of the page, another page from Sudermann’s Song of Solomon with
an additional verse to the hymn along with the tune name and appropriate
Sunday, and a page from a handwritten hymn compilation in 1765 with a hymn
from Sudermann’s Song of Solomon.

Lord Jesus Christ, Scripture tells me
What I should do, according to your will,
That helps really very little unless,
You enter into me and do all
From above according to your will,
Otherwise I would never again come to you.
Then without hope, faith, and love,
Your own gift, I would remain away from you
You would give me such a gift
That I would have eternal life
Which alone you truly are:
O Son of God, Lord Jesus Christ.
— D.S.
SILESIAN SCHWENKFELDERS
There is only circumstantial evidence in regard to how Sudermann
hymns found their way to Silesia. Nearly 40 years after Sudermann’s death,
the Silesian Schwenkfelder Martin John the Younger traveled through
southern Germany on a circuitous route to Holland. His itinerary
included a stop at Bamberg where he met with Schwenkfelder Georg
Gellmann, a surgeon [Wundarzt] exiled from Nuremberg. Whether John
actually visited Nuremberg is unclear. During this trip, John, apparently,
collected a number of manuscripts with hymns by Schwenkfelder writers
and took them back to Silesia where they were found among his
papers after his death in 1707. Perhaps pieces by Sudermann were among
those hymns he collected.
There is a tattered copy of the 1622 printing of Sudermann’s Song
of Solomon with the ownership signature of Matthüs Jäckel (1690?–1756),
a 1734 immigrant. Nearly all the hymns have suggested melodies and
appropriate Sundays added by
hand. Some hymns have
additional lines and
verses. Did Jäckel add these? Or did Martin John the Younger acquire
this book during his trip and make those notations?
The first manuscript hymn collection by the Silesian Schwenkfelders
was dated 1709. There is a very old manuscript hymnal in the Schwenkfelder
Library & Heritage Center collection, which is probably a copy
of this 1709 collection, but it is missing its covers, the title page, the
first few pages, and a few pages of the index at the end, but there are
still 1,022 surviving pages. There are at least 20 hymns from Sudermann’s
Song of Solomon on its pages.
In 1726, a new manuscript hymn compilation was made with additional
hymns so that the repertoire was now about a thousand hymns.
It is possible that nearly a hundred Sudermann pieces were added at this
time. A very small manuscript hymnal was compiled in Berthelsdorf,
Saxony, in 1727. This hymnbook, designed for daily devotional activities,
was small enough that it could be easily copied and so anyone could
own a copy. Called the Hymnal for Daily Use (Tägliches Gesängbuch),
it contained just four Sudermann hymns.
IN PENNSYLVANIA
On the eve of their trek to Pennsylvania, the Schwenkfelders in Berthelsdorf
put the finishing touches on a new compilation of their hymns.
This was a two volume collection dated 1733-1734, a copy of the 1726
expanded version of the 1709 collection. Here are over 100 Sudermann
hymns and some 75 pieces from the Song of Solomon.
Although other manuscript hymnals were compiled after settling in
Pennsylvania, the next important Schwenkfelder hymnal was a book
printed on the Saur Press in Germantown at the end of 1762. The Newlyorganized
Hymnbook contained 49 hymns and songs by Sudermann.
This was the largest printing of Sudermann hymns since his death.
The revised editions of this hymnal, in 1813
and 1869, retained a smaller and smaller
number of the Sudermann pieces.
What was most likely
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the last Schwenkfelder manuscript hymnal was copied in 1765. It
contains some 369 pieces from several different publications of
Sudermann’s works.
Susanna Heebner (1750–1818), the renowned Schwenkfelder
Fraktur artist, occasionally chose mystical texts for her compositions.
It is not surprising that she picked some of her texts from
hymns by Sudermann. The Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center
Fraktur Collection has four New Years’ greetings that Susanna prepared
for her nieces and nephews. The earliest one was for Isaac,
dated 1808, and has verses 7, 8, 9, and 11 of the hymn “Mein Geliebter
ist schön.” In 1810, she made one for Debora with verses 16 to 19
from the hymn “von deinetwegen bin ich hier.” In the following year,
she made one for Maria using verses 8 to 11 from “Fahr hin o Welt”
and one for Susanna employing verses 12 to 15 from the hymn “von
deinetwegen bin ich hier.”
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center has an incomparable
collection of materials focused on the history and culture of
a small religious group. It is hard to imagine how many books and
papers the immigrant Schwenkfelders brought with them on their
voyages to Pennsylvania in the 1730s. All of these artifacts, in addition
to their personal and household items, must have been considered
essential—something they could not abandon or do without.
In the 1890s and the first decade of the 1900s, Schwenkfelder scholars
were in Germany and Silesia investing a great deal of time, energy,
and money in collecting every possible book, paper, and artifact
related to the Schwenckfeld/Schwenkfelder story. These materials
were extremely important for publishing all of the writing of Caspar
Schwenckfeld. Indeed, it is thanks to these marvelous resources, now
residing in the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, that so
much can be learned about the history, culture, and especially personages
of this movement. n
This 1808 New Year’s greeting Fraktur was made for Isaac Heebner by
Susanna Heebner. The four verses come from the 1762 hymnal version
of Sudermann’s hymn “Mein Geliebter ist schön” and
is taken from the Song of Solomon.
WINTER 2011
VORSCHRI
FrakturC
You don’t need to know anything
about Fraktur to appreciate the
beauty of the finely rendered penmanship
and the accompanying
artwork found in each piece. It is
totally magical. The flowers, birds,

FTEN
ollection
BY DEL-LOUISE MOYER
hearts, and calligraphic flourishes which decorate the page invite
you into a world of make believe. Were you never to know all the
whys and wherefores, you would still be immeasurably enriched
by this picturesque and highly embellished form of Pennsylvania
German art which was created, principally by common folk, between
1740 and 1860.
▼
FRAKTUR 1
4-125 Vorschrift
(Writing Sample):
Hand-drawn, -lettered, and -colored
on laid paper.
Dimensions: 8" high x 13" wide.
Made for Salome Kriebel (Sept. 12,
1787 – Nov. 4, 1869), in 1801 by JS.
Location: Lower Salford Township,
Montgomery County.
Text Source: Unknown.
TRANSCRIPTION:
Hab Gott Vor Augen Und sein Wort
so geht es dir Wohl Hier und dort.
Jesu liebstes Gottes Lamm meiner
Seelen Bräutigam, Höre mein sehnlich
Flehen laß mich nicht betrübet
stehen, Herr erlöse deine Braut die
sich hat mit dir vertraut. Dir alleine
bleibe ich treu, und soll keine Heucheleÿ,
Mich von dir mein Hertze
treiben, Ich will mich dir einverleiben
und ein gantzes mit dir seÿn Schönster
Schatz Mein Jesulein droben ist mein
Bräutigam der Mich ihm zu eigen
nahm wo die Menge Cherubinen In
der Goldnen Himmels zinnen Singen
ohne Streit in Fried, meines Jesu
Hochzeit Lied.
TRANSLATION:
Have God and his word ever before
you, and it will be well with you here
and there. Jesus, dearest lamb of
God, the groom of my soul, listen to
my most earnest plea: Do not let me
standing here disconsolate. Savior,
redeem your bride, who has joined
herself to you. I shall always remain
steadfast, and no manner of hypocrisy
shall ever drive my heart from
you. I want to be united and one with
you most divine treasure. My precious
Jesus, my groom, who took me
for his own, dwells up above, where
the host of cherubim sing my Jesus’
wedding song, without discord and
in harmony, within the golden walls
of heaven.
THE SCHWENKFELDIAN
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To transform a piece of paper, generally 13" high and 16" wide, or halfand/or
quarter-sized reductions from the standard paper size, into writing
samples or precepts (Vorschriften), birth and baptismal certificates
(Taufscheine), house blessings (Haussegen), rewards (Belohnungen) for
school children, book plates (Bücherzeichen), book marks (Lesezeichen),
cutwork (Scherenschnitt), etc., required a person with a joyful imagination
who could read, write, and draw. This individual had to be wellread,
and have a desire to communicate his learning experience to
others. Where he came from, what he had learned, and who he was
becoming all contributed to his Fraktur creations.
Of course, without the requisite materials, no amount of creative
energy could ever have produced a piece of Fraktur. Paper, ink, an ink
well, water colors, pencils, quill pens, knives, brushes, tempering agents
for pigments such as gum arabic, compasses, rulers, and a color box
to hold and organize everything, were the ingredients and tools needed
to bring the work to life. The earlier pieces were all done by hand, while
later works could be combinations of hand decoration and printed
versions, or printed versions only.
One probably already knows that calligraphy is the art of writing. It
is the ability to skillfully transform shapes into an expressive and harmonious
visual communicative medium. A style of writing is referred
to as a script, alphabet, or hand. Black letter, also named Gothic script
or Gothic miniscule, for example, was widely used throughout Europe
from circa 1150 into the 17th century. Germanic-speaking areas continued
to use it until the 20th century.
Two scripts predominate in Pennsylvania-German Fraktur works:
Fraktur and old German script. Fraktur refers to a particular sub-group
of blackletter typefaces. The term comes from the past participle of the
Latin verb frangere (to break), or fractus, which means broken. The blackletter
lines contain many angles and are decidedly more broken than
the smooth curves of another typeface used at the time called Antiqua,
which was modeled after antique Roman elegant capitals.
Had Maximilian, Holy Roman Emperor, not sought to immortalize
himself in a new series of publications, for which he wished a new typeface,
there might never have been a Fraktur face. It was designed ca. 1500
by Hieronymus Andreae or Hieronymus Formschneider (i.e. woodblock
cutter), a printer, publisher, typographer, and collaborator of Albrecht
Dürer. Because it was the Emperor’s preferred typeface, it quickly overtook
the earlier Schwabacher and Textualis typefaces. Many Fraktur font
variants were carved.
In contrast, Kurrent is an old form of German handwriting based
on late medieval cursive – flowing strokes with the letters joined
together, also known as the alte Deutsche Schrift, or old German
script, it developed in the 16th century, and replaced the Gothic
handwriting at the same time that the Fraktur typeface developed.
The Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center has a stunning Fraktur
collection representing Schwenkfelder, Mennonite, Reformed, Lutheran,
Brethren, and other Fraktur artists and scriveners.You will even find an
example of Moravian Christmas greetings. Texts, taken from the Bible,
hymnals, religious poetry, and other pietistic sources, were used in part
to demonstrate how to write Fraktur and old German script, as well as
for the edification of and instruction to the young students, who most
often received these pieces of Fraktur as gifts from their school masters.
In Vorschriften (writing samples), a combination of ornamented Fraktur
and old German script is used for the quoted text. Beneath this, one
usually finds an alphabet rendered either in Fraktur letters, both in capital
and lowercase, and/or in majuscule and miniscule old German
script letters, or both. Grammatical markings may be indicated, or the
WINTER 2011
days of the week, months, and cardinal numbers. Sometimes, the artist/
scrivener will state that he made the work, sign his name, and the date
he created the work. Other times, the names and dates indicate for whom
and when the works were made. The Schwenkfelders are unique in that
their Vorschriften can be either a writing specimen with the instructive
alphabets and/or only a precept meant to guide the recipient on life’s
journey. The following examples will give you an idea of the richness
of the Schwenkfelder’s unique and memorable collection.
FRAKTUR 1
This Vorschrift (writing sample) was made for a Schwenkfelder child,
Salome Kriebel, in 1801 when she was 14 years old. The format, dividing
the space into smaller rectangular work areas, and the Fraktur decorative
elements are typical Mennonite—reminiscent of school masters
Andreas Kolb and Huppert Cassel. Nothing is known about the maker
who signed it as JS. There are no records to confirm whether it was
Salome’s school teacher or not. The source for the text, part Fraktur,
part old German script, is unknown. It describes Jesus as the bride
groom, the Christian as the bride, and uses comparisons to earthly marriage.
This was popular and also very acceptable imagery of the time. In
the lower left quadrant, is an upper-case and, in the lower right quadrant
beneath the text, a lower-case old German script alphabet.
FRAKTUR 2
Men predominated in the field of Fraktur, but there were a few women
who excelled both as artists and scriveners. One such lady was the
Schwenkfelder Susanna Hübner (April 12, 1750 – March 1, 1818) who
never married. She lived on her father’s (Hans Christoph Hübner) farm
in Worcester Township, Montgomery County. Her neighbor and friend
was the Mennonite teacher and Fraktur artist Huppert Cassel who taught
her brother, Abraham, and spurred him on to become an accomplished
Fraktur artist as well. In fact, it seems the whole Hübner family was gifted
and, for several generations, continued to recycle the same motifs and
texts to produce similar Fraktur works, most of which are now part of
the Schwenkfelder Fraktur collection.
After their father died, Susanna lived with her brother and his wife,
Christina Wagner, and often produced Fraktur for her eight nieces and
nephews. In 1808, she made several customized Vorschriften (precepts)
as gifts. This piece was for her nephew, Jacob, who was then almost 15
years old. It is very stylized and shares some of the same motifs and
highly ornamented Fraktur used by David Kriebel [See Kriebel’s Fraktur
Jerusalem Du Gottes Stadt from February 24, 1805]. The illuminated
Fraktur is in multicolors of red, blue, yellow, and black gall ink and the
old German Script is mostly in black ink interspersed with words in red
ink. The text begins with a passage from Genesis 32:1-2, referencing the
first name of Susanna’s nephew, Jacob. The angels, as servants of God and
their continuous service to Him and mankind, are described along with
mention of some of the biblical people who experienced their ministrations.
Susanna Hübner used this Vorschrift (precept) perhaps to remind
her nephew, Jacob Hübner, of God’s heavenly intervention in the lives
of everyday people and provided him with a list of biblical figures who
had been recipients of God’s angelic benevolence. Located in the lower
left and right corners are two hearts sprouting tulips and other blooms.
The left warns of one’s impending end and gives the date of the Vorschrift
(precept); the right admonishes us to reserve our hearts for Jesus alone.
FRAKTUR 3
Christian Strenge came to America in 1776, as a Hessian soldier, and

FRAKTUR 2
1958.02.09 Vorschrift (Precept): Hand-drawn, -lettered, and -colored on laid paper. Dimensions: 8- 1 /8" high x 13- 5 /16" wide.
Made for Jacob Hübner, Susanna Hübner’s nephew, Worcester Township, Montgomery County, by Susanna Hübner on April 15, 1808.
Text Source: Genesis 32:1–2.
TRANSCRIPTION:
Jacob Aber Zog Seinen Weg und Es Begegneten Ihm die Engel
Gottes. 2. Und da er sie sahe, sprach er: Es sind Gottes Heere und
hieß Dieselbige Stätte Mahanaim: 1. Mos. 32: 1-2 Ein Grosse anzahl
ist der Lieben Engel, Tausendmal Tausend, Singen fröhlich mit Schall.
vor Gott sie stehen, stets sein Antliz sehen thun sein Gefallen. dise
Heerschaaren, Rühmten Christ den Herren, da er gebohren, sungen
ihm zu Ehren, da er gestritten, Todes Angst gelidten, sie ihm auch
dienten. Als er gesieget, gen Himmel gefahren, die Feind bekrieget,
bald die Engel Schaaren, Sein Sieg ausbreiten: Sein Zu kunfft
bedeuten, in letzten Zeiten. Wän denn, was solches betrifft, wir in
der Heiligen Schrifft, viel schöne Exempel sehn, was durch ihren
Dienst geschehn. Als wie Abraham und Lot Hagar auch in ihrer
Noth, Isaac, Jacob Israel, Ilias und Daniel. Joseph u. Cornelius,
Petrus, Paulus, Lazarus, und viel andre mehr vor jahrn, han der
Engel Dienst erfahrn.
O Edel Hertz, Bedenck dein End April den 15 1808
Das Hertze mein soll dir allein ergeben seÿn
remained to become a teacher at a union school in Hempfield Township,
Lancaster County. Here, he taught Mennonite, Lutheran, and Reformed
children from 1793 to 1811. He always did his artwork first and added
custom-oriented texts later. Flower and bird motifs, as well as the colors
employed, are signature elements and make it very easy to recognize
his work, even when unsigned.
In 1801, Strenge made this Vorschrift (writing sample) for Maria Ruth,
TRANSLATION:
Jacob then went his way, and God’s angels met him. 2. And when
he saw them, he spoke: “These are the army of God, and called the
place where he met them Mahanaim.” Genesis 32: 1-2. The host of
angels, thousands upon thousands, merrily sing resoundingly. They
stand before God, forever view his countenance, and do his bidding.
This heavenly multitude praised Christ when he was born; sang in
his honor when he was threatened; served him when he experienced
the fear of death. When he ascended triumphantly towards Heaven,
vanquished the enemy, the angels quickly announced his victory,
and continue to prophesy the future and end times. We see many
examples in the Holy Bible of the services they have rendered throughout
the ages. For instance, Abraham and Lot, Hagar in her need,
Isaac, Jacob, Israel, Elijah and Daniel, Joseph and Cornelius, Peter,
Paul, Lazarus, and many others of other times have experienced the
ministrations of the angels.
O noble heart, contemplate your end. April 15, 1808
My heart is devoted to you alone.
probably one of his students. Following the text from Psalms 95:1-5,
are an old German script alphabet in uppercase and one in lowercase,
plus numbers from 1 to 14. Strenge included several variants for almost
every capital letter, the vowels with umlauts, as well as examples of
letter combinations, all very helpful to someone learning to write in
old German script. In the last line, he notes: “Written in Hempfield
Township in the Year 1801 by Christian Strenge.”
THE SCHWENKFELDIAN
9

10
FRAKTUR 3
Vorschrift (Writing Sample): Hand-drawn, -lettered, and -colored on laid paper. Made for Maria Ruth in 1801, Hempfield Township,
Lancaster County, by Christian Strenge (Oct. 24, 1757 – April 28, 1828). Text Source: Psalms 95:1-5.
TRANSCRIPTION:
Maria Ruth. Kommt lasset uns dem Herrn frohlocken und jauchzen
dem Hort unsers Heils. Lasset uns mit Danken vor sein angesicht
kommen und mit Psalmen ihm jauchzen. Denn der Herr ist ein
grosser Gott, und ein grosser König über alle Götter. Denn in seiner
Hand ist was die Erde bringet, und die Höhen der berge sind auch
sein. Denn sein ist das Meer, und er hats gemacht, und seine Hände
haben das Trockene bereitete. Psalm 95 Verse 1.2.3. und 4.
[Alphabets, etc.]
Geschrieben in Hempfield Taunschip im Jahr 1801 von Christian
Strenge.
FRAKTUR 4
Decorative motifs, such as trailing tulip vines and feathered elements,
as utilized by the renowned Fraktur artist and Schwenkfelder minister
David Kriebel (April 21, 1787 – April 23, 1848) suggest that this piece
may be one of his very early works. If so, he was only 15 years old when
he created this Vorschrift (writing sample), in 1802, using verses 1 to 3
from a hymn text found on page 57 of the 1760 second edition of The
Small Davidic Psalter of the Children of Zion printed by Christoph Saur
in Germantown, and sung to the melody “Rise up.” A collection of hymn
texts, numbering 547 pages plus an additional 23 pages of indexes, this
psalter was an abridged American version of the very popular, and much
larger Euorpean Schwazenau Brethren’s, i.e. Tunkers’, first hymnbook
WINTER 2011
TRANSLATION:
Maria Ruth. Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud
to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great
God, the great king above all gods. In his hand are the depths of
the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for
he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Psalm 95, verses
1.2.3.4. [also 5].
[Alphabets, etc.]
Written in Hempfield Township in the Year 1801 by Christian
Strenge.
entitled David’s Psalm Book. The Tunker emigrants to America brought
along several copies of this very heavy hymnbook, but decided to put
together a smaller version for the expanding American Brethren congregations.
Christoph Saur, the first German-language printer and publisher
in America, as well as one of the founders of the Church of the
Brethren in America, published the first edition in 1744. The Small
Davidic Psalter of the Children of Zion was also used by other pietistic
groups and was to the German-speaking people of that period what
the Gospel hymns were to the American Christians of the second-half
of the 19th century.
The text of this Vorschrift (writing sample), partially in Fraktur, partially
in old German Script, plus round cursive script, contains some

FRAKTUR 4
Vorschrift (Writing Sample): Hand-drawn, -lettered, and -colored on laid paper. Unknown for whom it was made in 1802. Location
unknown. Possibly by David Kriebel. Text Source: Das kleine Davidische Psalterspiel der Kinder Zions, von Alten und Neuen auserlesen
Geistes=Gesängen. Germantown: Gedruckt bey Christoph Saur, Germantown, 1744, v. 1-3, pp. 57-59.
TRANSCRIPTION:
Bleibe bey mir Liebster Freund, Jesu mein Verlangen Weil die Sonne
wieder scheind und nun Aufgegangen drum so wollest du aufs neu
mir auch helle scheinen und in reiner Liebes Treu dich mit mir vereinen
Dann ich habe niemand sonst den ich mich Vertraue als nur dich und
deine Gunst ists worauf ich baue, du bist meine Zuversicht und mein
Held im Kriegen wann der Arge mich anficht, kan ich durch dich
siegen Ach drum will ich dich mein Licht vestiglich umfaßen und dich
nun und nimmer nicht von mir laßen dann es ist nicht guth allein hier
die Zeit Vertreiben drum must du mein Jesulein stets beÿ mir Verbleiben.
A B C D E F G H J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Anno Domene [sic] 1802 ~
love and marriage imagery, as well as portrays Jesus as the sun and light
of the world. The Christian begs Christ to never leave him, and to remain
his defender and guiding light. Beneath the verses, is an uppercase old
German script alphabet and Anno Domene [sic] 1802 in round cursive
script. It’s interesting to note that the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage
Center has the copy of Isaac Jackson’s Round Hand Copies Alphabetically
Written For the Use of young Writers, Dublin, 1735, which was owned,
in 1771, by the Schwenkfelder George Drescher.
FRAKTUR 5
Jeremias Krauss (Oct. 28, 1758 – Aug. 17, 1821) was the son of Schwenkfelders
Christopher Krauss and Susanna Schultz, who had a farm in
▼
TRANSLATION:
Never leave me dearest friend, Jesus my hope. Since the sun is shining
once more, and has arisen, shine brightly anew for me, and in
the bond of true love become one with me. For I have no one else
to whom I can entrust myself except you, and it is your grace upon
which I build. You are my joy and defender. In battle, when the evil
one attacks me, I triumph in you. O light of mine, I thus want to grasp
you firmly, and never let you go. Since it is not good to spend one’s
time here alone, dear Jesus mine, please remain with me always.
A B C D E F G H J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
In the Year of Our Lord 1802 ~
Upper Hanover Township, Montgomery County. Whoever made this
Vorschrift (precept) was familiar with Gerhard Tersteegen’s Little Flower
Garden for Fervent Souls, a collection of hymns, spiritual lyrics, and
epigrams, first published in Europe in 1729. He chose Verse 383 from
The First Little Book in which Jesus entreats the child’s soul to return his
unconditional love, a very pleasing request to a little boy ten years old.
Gerhard Tersteegen was born in Moers, Germany, in 1697. He was
first apprenticed to his brother-in-law to become a merchant, but gave
this up to contemplate the inner man within him. As he codified his
thoughts, he shared them with others and was able to counsel wisely.
His Little Flower Garden for Fervent Souls became so popular that the
hymns were sung at weddings, social events, and even spoken as greet-
THE SCHWENKFELDIAN 11

12
FRAKTUR 5
39.177.1 Vorschrift (Precept): Hand-drawn, -lettered, and -colored on laid paper. Made
for Jeremias Krauss (Oct. 28, 1758 – Aug. 17, 1821), Upper Hanover Township, Montgomery
County, by an anonymous artist/scrivener in January, 1768. Text Source: Gerhard Tersteegen,
Geistliches Blumengärtlein inniger Seelen.: oder, Kurze Schlussreimen, Betrachtungen und
Lieder über allerhand Wahrheiten des inwendigen in dem verboregenen Leben met Christo in
Gott nebst Der frommen Lotterie (Elberfeld: Hassel, 1826), Erstes Büchlein, v. 383, S. 102.
TRANSCRIPTION:
Jeremias Kra[uss]
Jesus zu der Seelen, Mein werthes Kind, ach
! liebe mich, Dann ich so hertzlich liebe Dich;
Daß ich mich selbst Dir gantz will schenken,
Wie kanst Du an was anders, Denken.
Blumen Gärtlein, 383 P
Anno 1768 Januar the
ings. He believed that God is naturally a part of every man, but that our
focus on the external handicaps our spiritual growth. If we cultivate
our inner being, we will find great joy and deepen our friendship with
God, who is always present within us.
The decorative elements in this Vorschrift (precept) are pure Schwenkfelder,
especially the floral vines and heart which contains Tersteegen’s
verse. Unfortunately, a portion of the right side of the document is
missing. The child’s name is in Fraktur and this is a perfect example
of broken letters—the initial capitals ornamented with calligraphic
flourishes. The heart is not only symbolic as a vessel for the soul, but
is also, literally, a receptacle for a bouquet of decorative flowers, a very
knowing touch by the artist/scrivener. The verse is written in the old
German script. The bottom line, in cursive round-hand, is part Latin,
German, and English!
WINTER 2011
TRANSLATION:
Jeremias Kra[uss]
Jesus to the soul: My valuable child, please
love me, for I so profoundly love you that I want
to give myself unconditionally to you. How can
you consider anything else?
[From] The Little Garden of Flowers, 383, P.
Anno 1768, January the
FRAKTUR 6
New Year’s Greeting (probably
Schwenkfelder): Hand-drawn,
-lettered, -colored, and scissors-cut on
laid paper. Dimensions: 3- 7 /8" high
x 2- 9 /16" wide. Made for George and
Barbara Diehl Anders, Towamencin
Township, Montgomery County, by an
anonymous artist between 1757 and
1803. Text Source: Unknown.
TRANSCRIPTION:
G A [George Anders] B A [Barbara
Anders]
Ich wünsch eüch ein glückseelich neues
Jahr georg anders und seiner frah
TRANSLATION:
G A [George Anders] B A [Barbara
Anders]
I wish you a joyous New Year. To
George Anders and his wife.
FRAKTUR 6
This New Year Fraktur was made for the Schwenkfelders George Anders
(June 16, 1733 – Aug. 28, 1803) and his wife Barbara Diehl (Dec. 25,
1730 – Jan. 25, 1812), who were married on February 13, 1757. It was
given to them sometime between 1757 and 1803. Since there are very
few examples of Fraktur-decorated holiday cards from this time period,
this is a real treasure even though the artist is unknown. The holiday
greetings are in Fraktur.
FRAKTUR 7
Another rare gem in the Schwenkfelder Fraktur Collection is this Christmas
greeting from December 24, 1798. Based on characteristics similar
to a few other known Moravian Christmas cards that are hand-drawn,
hand-lettered, and hand-colored (see the Free Library Rare Book Room

FRAKTUR 7
Moravian Christmas Greeting: Hand-drawn,
-lettered, and -colored on laid paper. Dimensions:
3- 3 /16" high x 3- 7 /8" wide. Made by an anonymous
artist/scrivener from an unknown location
on December 24, 1798. Text Source: Unknown.
TRANSCRIPTION:
Ey welch’ Lieb preißt der Herr an uns armen
Sündern, Da Er, zu Seiner Ehre, Freud’ annimmt
zu Kindern.
24ten Dec. 1798
TRANSLATION:
O what love the Savior grants to us poor sinners.
For he, to his Honor, delights in becoming as the
children.
24 Dec. 1798
Fraktur Collection), this example can be attributed to an anonymous
Moravian artist/scrivener. The Moravians are not known to have produced
Fraktur of any other kind other than the few Christmas greetings
still extant.
A dove symbolizes peace, love, innocence, and portrays the Holy
Spirit, particularly in annunciation scenes. Christian art also depicts
the dove as hovering over the Virgin Mary’s head, symbolizing Mary’s
submissive innocence. Two doves represent eternal love. The pair of
doves in this Fraktur are carefully rendered and, perhaps, represent the
everlasting love, i.e. Jesus Christ, who was born to bring peace to the
world. The faded lavender colors of the text, as well as of the decorative
oblong wreath were probably red when initially applied. The text,
in old German script, expresses the Savior’s mercy to sinners, since
he delights in becoming as the children.
FRAKTUR 8
1958.02.02 Vorschrift (Writing Sample): Hand-drawn, -lettered, and -
colored on laid paper. Dimensions: Approximately 6" high x 7 wide. By Christina
Wagner (Feb. 17, 1769 – April 18, 1830), Worcester Township, Montgomery County.
Text Source: Sirach (Apocrypha) 10:17-21.
TRANSCRIPTION:
Manniger karget und sparet und wird
dadurch reich, und dencket er habe
etwas vor sich bracht, und spricht: Nun
will ich gut leben haben, eßen und
trincken von meinen Güthern, und er
weiß nicht, daß sein Stündlein so nahe
ist, und muß alles andern laßen und
sterben. Bleibe in Gottes Wort und übe
dich darinnen und beharre in deinem
Beruff und laß dich nicht irren, wie die
Gottlosen nach Guth trachten. Vertraue
du Gott und bleibe in deinem Beruff
pp.
[Alphabets]
Christina Wagener at Worcester Township
TRANSLATION:
Some are stingy, save, and consequently
become rich. They are of the opinion that
they have done well for themselves, and
say: “Now I want to have a good life,
eat, and drink, and live from my possessions.
Little do they know that their hour
is quickly approaching, and that they
will have to die, and leave everything to
others. Stick to the word of God, and
follow its precepts. Persevere in your
work, and do not be sidetracked, like
the godless, who strive for worldly goods.
Trust God, and carry on with your calling.
With my own hand.
[Alphabets]
Christina Wagener at Worcester Township
FRAKTUR 8
Christina Wagner’s parents were the Schwenkfelders Christopher
Wagener and Susanna Hübner. This Susanna Hübner was the daughter
of David and Maria Heebner. She was born in Worcester Township,
Montgomery County, and married Abraham Hübner on May 11, 1790.
Her sister-in-law, Susanna Hübner, as previously mentioned, was also
inspired to do some of her finest Fraktur pieces for Abraham’s and
Christina’s children.
Christina Wagner may well have been the scrivener of this unadorned
Vorschrift (writing sample). The initial letter W is graced with several
calligraphical flourishes and the opening line is in cursive Fraktur.
The rest is in old German script. At the end of the quoted text, one finds
the letters pp, which is usually an abbreviation for per procurationem
or on behalf of. Its placement seems out of context, as it usually is found
THE SCHWENKFELDIAN
13

14
in combination with a signature. The alphabet beneath
is an example of round-hand and combines the upper
and lowercase letters together under each letter. The
signature Christina Wagener at Worcester Township,
is in English and in cursive round-hand.
The text is from Sirach, an apocryphal book of the
bible, which was very often quoted for Vorschrift texts
—writing specimens as well as precepts—because of
its didactic and common sense viewpoint. The reader
of this writing specimen is encouraged to be diligent
and to lay up treasures in heaven, for one never knows
when one’s life will end.
MOTIVATION
The Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center owns
Samuel Pennypacker’s personal copy, dated January 24,
1877 [VR43-19 6097], of Geistliches Magazien (Spiritual
Periodical) Num 33, which Christoph Sauer published
in 1764 in order to share a letter from Christopher Dock,
the well-known Mennonite school teacher, to his still
living students for their instruction and admonishment.
In his letter, Dock wrote:
“My beloved children, who have come of age, and
understanding: My love and concern for your
spiritual well-being and joy has placed a duty upon
me to plead with you before I take my leave from
this earth. Search yourselves, and determine if
you are God’s children, or are willing to belong
to him. If you find like the prodigal son, that you
have strayed from your Father, then, also like the
prodigal son, resolve to return to him. Avoid the
temptations of this world such as lusting with
your eyes, sins of the flesh, and vain living. Free
your hearts from this sort of false love, and consecrate
and join yourself to Jesus, the groom of
our souls, who because he loved us, sacrificed himself
for us. As we have already learned from his
words, he lovingly beseeches us to come to him.
In coming to him, we receive his light. Please do
not forget that you can still come to him.”
Yours in love,
Christoph Dock*
During his long career as a schoolmaster, Dock made
many types of Fraktur pieces for his pupils, which
contained expressions of general truth and principles
to motivate them to walk in the footsteps of Jesus and
to be his friend for eternity. It is fitting to conclude
with some of his thoughts, which mirror the raison
d’etre for the Vorschriften, both the writing specimens
and precepts as well as other types of Fraktur,
produced by the Pennsylvania-Germans, ca. 1740 to
1860, and which are now part of the Schwenkfelder
Fraktur Collection. n
*Source: Christoph Dock: Eine Schrift an seine noch lebende
Schüler zur Lehr und Vermahnung, Geistliches Magazien
Num 33 (Christoph Sauer: Germantown, Pa. 1764), p. 269,
column 2, paragraph 3.
WINTER 2011
Aram Basmadjian, of the
Allen Organ Company, performed
a one-hour concert
demonstrating the versatility
of the king of instruments.
A resident of nearby
Macungie, Aram is a young
organ virtuoso who made
his organ debut playing at
Temple Square in Salt Lake
City, Utah. His spirited playing
and humor provided a
fun introduction to Palm’s
new digital organ.

Instruments Instruments THE KING OF
The construction blueprints provided space for an organ but
its installation was initially deferred because of the additional
cost. Dr. and Mrs. Oscar S. Kriebel, however, felt so strongly
that organ music would make a valuable contribution to the
spirit of worship services that they made a $500 contribution
towards the purchase. They also applied for, and received from
industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, a grant
for $875 with the provision that the Church raise the balance
of the organ cost. Dr. Kriebel promised to raise the needed
funds from people who had not subscribed to the building
fund. Mr. Carnegie’s offer was accepted by the congregation,
and a pipe organ was ordered from the C.S. Haskell Company
of Philadelphia for $2,250.
Unfortunately the installation of the organ could not be
completed by Sept. 24, 1911, the date set for the dedication
of the new Palm Church building, so congregational singing
was accompanied by a small reed pump organ which had
been transported from the Washington Meetinghouse. When
the installation was completed the following month, its console
was located on a platform on the left front of the sanctuary.
A District Conference on October 7, 1911, decided
that the new organ, beginning the following week, was to be
used exclusively to accompany congregational singing. The
hymns were led by Vorsinger (song leader) Henry Seibert who
was seated beside the organist throughout most of the service.
On occasion, when congregational singing lacked sufficient
zeal, Dr. Kriebel would stop the hymn in progress
and inform Mr. Seibert and the congregation that he was not
satisfied with their rendition of that particular hymn and
that they should continue singing with more zeal. Organ
preludes, offertories, and postludes were added to the worship
service by the 1930s. During the summer of 1937, the
organ was reconditioned and upgraded at a cost of $1,300
and a dedication service was held November 12, 1937.
Under the leadership of Rev. Martha Kriebel, the Palm
Church conducted an extensive program of renovations to
the Church facilities during the 1960s and early 1970s. A study
was conducted examining the facilities in the sanctuary. A
special subcommittee recommended that, because of needed
expensive repairs, the Haskell pipe organ be replaced with
a new electronic analog instrument. A contract was signed
with the Allen Organ Company of Macungie for a three-
BY EDWARD BIELER
During the first decade of the twentieth century, the Upper District Schwenkfelders began
to feel that the facilities of the Washington, Hosensack, and Kraussdale meetinghouses
were inadequate. A District Conference, held in the Fall of 1909, decided to build a single
centrally located house of worship. By the Spring of 1910, a site was secured in Palm, a
Philadelphia architectural firm was engaged, and a design approved. Construction began
that March and the building was ready for use by the Fall of 1911.
manual organ for a cost of $23,000. Among the many reasons
for the selection of the Allen Organ was the company’s worldwide
reputation as a leader in the field of electronic church
and theater organs, the quality of the instrument, the proximity
of the company to the Church (approximately 10 miles),
and that Allen employed several members of the Palm congregation
in the manufacturing of this type of organ. In fact,
one of Palm’s members was responsible for matching the
wood stain on the new organ to the oak woodwork in the
sanctuary. The new organ, along with a new carillon, was
dedicated during the morning worship service on May 23,
1971. That evening, a special community service was conducted.
Highlights of this service included performances
by the Palm Senior Choir, Palm’s Brass Choir, the Upper
Perkiomen High School A Choir, and a recital by organist
Carl Gearhart.
By 2009, it had become apparent to Palm’s Board of Music
Ministry that the Allen Organ needed an upgrade. Existing
antiphonal speakers needed replacement and the speakers
located in the old organ chamber needed to be repositioned
in order to eliminate dead spots and better fill the
sanctuary with the sound of the organ. In addition, Allen
Organ company representatives suggested that a second organ
chamber be installed in the front of the Church to help
eliminate the dead spots on the north side of the sanctuary.
In the course of the discussions with Allen, it became
clear to the Board of Music Ministry that perhaps it would
be financially prudent to consider a new instrument rather
than expend resources on upgrading the existing organ. A
recommendation was made to the Board of Trustees that
if funding became available, the Church should purchase
a new digital organ from the Allen Organ Company for a
cost of $94,000.
At a special District Conference held in September, 2009,
the Board of Trustees presented to the membership a plan
for several capital improvement projects, including the installation
of the new organ for completion as part of the Palm
Church’s 100th anniversary celebration. The plan was overwhelmingly
approved and the order was placed for the new
instrument. Installation took place during the first week in
August, 2010, and the dedication service and recital were
held on Oct. 17, 2010. n
THE SCHWENKFELDIAN
15

16
Church Briefs AUGUST – NOVEMBER 2010
CENTRAL
An uplifting experience was enjoyed
by all during the Sunday School hour,
in Fellowship Hall, on Sunday, Aug. 1.
Chaplain Franklin Gilliam of New
Life Youth & Family Services, presented
information about its programs
which Central Church supports
through our Christmas in
August mission program. The 150-acre campus
is located in Schwenksville, Pa., and was
founded by the late state trooper and presidential
bodyguard, Walter Haman, in 1953.
Through God’s work, the staff of the facility
is helping troubled youth—45 young men
and 14 young women, presently. Rev. Roger
Wambold visited the pulpit. Rev. Wambold is
the Director of Hebrew Christian Fellowship,
a ministry which extends the word of Jesus
Christ to people of the Jewish faith.
On Sunday, August 8, during the Sunday
School hour, Board of Deacons’ Chairman
Peter Colvin introduced attendees to a new
emphasis on discipleship at Central. Attendees
gathered in the Plaid Pad, over a five-week
introductory period, to discuss the components
of this program. A committee, formed
by some members of Diaconate and Church
Council, will present to the congregation the
Church’s new emphasis about discipleship.
The morning worship message, entitled “Work
Camp According to Us,” was delivered by three
participants—Al Koehler, Jeremy Behne, and
Danielle Schanbacher—who participated in
this year’s West Virginia work project. A vocal
and instrumental group also performed two
pieces which included Whitney Cairns (vocal
and piano), Travis Simpson (vocal and guitar),
Central Schwenkfelder
P.O. Box 67, Worcester, PA 19490
610-584-4480
www.centralschwenkfelder.com
our facilities sitespecific
WINTER 2011
Worship:
8:00 a.m.,
10:30 a.m.
Church School:
9:00 a.m.
Zachary Cairns (bass), and Alicia Kalb (drums).
Other participants in the services were Pastor
Julian Scavetti, Tim Seese, Katie Greco, and
Leigh Kelly.
On Wednesday evening, August 11, Rev.
Dr. Drake Williams led a special prayer time
on Central Church’s portico. Rev. Williams’
son, Henry, assisted his father by playing the
guitar. The Williams’ are residents of Amsterdam,
The Netherlands, and were visiting the
area. During the Sunday School hour, the discipleship
discussion program continued on
successive weeks under the leadership of Mary
Beatrice, Janet Singer, Sam Dagger, and concluded
by Judy Berger and Wayne Wurtz.
Sunday, September 12, the Sunday School
hour was the opportunity to commence the
new Church calendar year. Thanks is due to
Tim Heebner (member, Board of Education)
and Penny Krosskove (Sunday School Superintendent),
for organizing the Rally Day activities
in Fellowship Hall. The program themes
were team effort, God wants us to serve, and
MAD (Make a Difference). Special music was
provided by the instrumental group, 4-Giv’n.
Senior Pastor David McKinley presented
Bibles to the Third Graders which included
Kyle Colombo, Bryanna Dix, Will Hartman,
Joseph Irvine, Olivia Keyte, Ruby and Grace
Ramsey, Jason Rieger, and Ramsey Tha. Guest
speaker Robert Rogers delivered the sermon
and shared his musical gifts of piano playing
and voice. He continued his message during
the evening service by talking about the tragic
loss of his wife and four children in a 2003
flood. Sunday evening activities included the
beginning of the new Christian Endeavor programs
of Wave, Wired, and Crave.
Worship:
8:00 a.m.,
10:00 a.m.
Church School:
9:00 a.m.
Olivet-Schwenkfelder
United Church of Christ
619 Township Line Rd., Norristown, PA 19403
610-539-7444 • www.osuccpa.org
Chairperson Beth Anne Mininger, along
with a host of other people, organized another
successful country fair. The next day, Sunday,
September 19, an introduction was made to
Central’s planned informal worship services.
A second introductory informal/contemporary
service was conducted at the 8:00 a.m. Church
service on October 10. The efforts of the instrumental
and vocal group 4-Giv’n will be much
appreciated in this new Church venture. Also,
the WAVE CE group met that evening.
The midweek praise and prayer group
continued to celebrate 7:00 p.m. worship on
the Church portico. Also, the AWANA program
began again. AWANA (derived from the
first letters of the phrase approved workmen
are not ashamed—taken from 2 Timothy 2:15),
will continue through May 2011. AWANA participants
are children from grades K-5. The
children are divided into two groups: grades
K-2 (known as Sparks) and grades 3-5 (known
as T&T or Truth and Training). The intent is to
keep the children focused upon Christ and
church at midweek.
October 10 was laity Sunday and leadership
participants were Andrew Ramsey, Todd and
Gretchen Colombo, Wendy and Karly Kaminsky,
Juli Apple, Mary Beatrice, and Patricia
Marburger. The sermon presenters were Fran
Witte, Mark Singer, and Don Casey and their
subject was “Serving the Lord at Central: Something
for Everyone.” Joining the Central Church
membership a week later were William and
Patricia Fulwider and Megan McGinnis.
Starting on January 16, 2011, Central will
hold a traditional service at 9:00 a.m., Sunday
School will begin at 10:10 a.m., and a contemporary
service will start at 11:15 a.m.
Palm Schwenkfelder
P.O. Box 66, Palm, PA 18070
215-679-5321
www.palmschwenkfelder.com
Worship:
10:15 a.m.
Church School:
9:00 a.m.
CHURCH PHOTOGRAPHS BY GERALD HEEBNER

A special salute is appropriate to the folks
who redecorated the lower floor level of the
Church building. Those who offered their talent
and service were Chris and Pam Eckert;
David and Linda McKinley; Lauren Rieger;
Beth Hunt; Tom and Heather McGinley; Al
Koehler; Wayne and April Wurtz; Rob Texter;
Lauren Hunt; Gene Cestrone; Quentin, Juli,
Lauren, and Lucas Apple; the Borelli Family;
Linda James; Greta Henery; Jeanne Kelly; Todd
Colombo; and Ryan Gallagher.
November 28 was the first Sunday of Advent.
During the first service, the Advent wreath was
lit by Carl and Holly Sensenig and, during the
second service, by Pete and Marcy Shenkel
and Cheryl Walborn. ✞
OLIVET
August—the halfway point of
Summer. Despite many absences,
due to vacations, our congregation
enjoyed beautiful music all
month. On August 1, Pastor Leslie
demonstrated her many talents
as she joined Helen Felton,
Tony Godorecci, and Larry
Tiblis to sing the anthem.As always, our Second
Sunday Singers were a joy. Tony Godorecci
was in charge of the vocal department on
the third week and was joined the following
week by Flora and Larry Tiblis and Pastor
Leslie. We ended the month musically with
Audrey Haimbach, Flora and Larry Tiblis, and
Tony Godorecci. It gave us great pleasure to
welcome Rev. JoEllen Mauger back to the pulpit
on August 15. As in July, the mission focus
was on Interfaith and Project Hope.
Members were rarin' to go in September.
Schwenkfelder Missionary
2010 Reed St.
Philadelphia, PA 19146
215-334-4658
Worship: 10:45 a.m.
Church School: 9:30 a.m.
Perkiomen School
200 Seminary Street
Pennsburg, PA 18073
215-679-9511
www.perkiomen.org
Our preschool teachers were installed during
the service on September 12 as we observed
Rally Day. Despite the rain, everyone enjoyed
the picnic which followed the service. It was
so nice to have the choir back following their
Summer hiatus. Then, during the weekend of
September 17, Pastor Leslie led the OSUCC
women’s retreat at Mensch Mill. Participants
enjoyed this time of worship and fellowship
which included a labyrinth walk. Meanwhile,
the congregation was honored to have Rev.
David Luz give the sermon that week. Our
mission concern in September was the West
End Preschool. This school is now housed in
Christ Church UCC, in Norristown, but it
was founded and run for many years by the
Norristown Schwenkfelder Church. With the
arrival of cooler weather, our knitters were
reminded to get out their needles and make
helmet liners for the armed forces.
We welcomed October with the celebration
of World Communion Sunday. All family
members are welcome at Olivet, including pets.
On October 9, several cats, dogs, and a lone
iguana participated in the service of animal
blessing. All the participants were awarded a
certificate. October 10 was doubly busy as
several members hurried to complete the
Crop Walk in time to return to Church for
the Youth Serve basket auction. Youth Serve
raised $900; half of which went to the Wyncote
Church Home. The remainder will go to a
charity yet to be determined. The Crop Walk
raised $626. The focus remained on youth the
following Sunday for the national observance
of children’s Sabbath. Michael Schrack, Cassie
Thacker, Lexi Ishikawa, Gregory Briggs, and
Alex Nyce participated in the service. Ten little
Schwenkfelder Library
& Heritage Center
105 Seminary St., Pennsburg, PA 18073
215-679-3103
www.schwenkfelder.com
Mon.: Closed • Tues., Wed., Fri.: 9–4
Thurs.: 9–8 • Sat.: 10–3 • Sun.: 1–4
ones enjoyed a Halloween party on October 23
under the supervision of Doug and Cheryl
Emerson. Sara Posen headed up the Women’s
Fellowship zep sale on Friday, October 15. This
month, the mission project was collection of
donations for Church World Service blankets.
November was ushered in with the observance
of All Saints Sunday and a living memorial
and prayer wall was built in the sanctuary
to honor all friends and family who had
passed on in previous years as well as those
who entered eternal life this year. Women’s
Fellowship sponsored the annual roast beef
dinner on Saturday, November 13, and provided
dinner for 16 veterans. A congregational
meeting was held on stewardship Sunday following
the service to elect Church Council
officers. Once again, Youth Serve prepared a
delicious harvest home breakfast with the $75
surplus going to Interfaith. We continued the
observance of harvest home during the service
when Church Council officers were installed.
During the offertory, members brought nonperishable
food items to the altar to be donated
to Interfaith. ✞
PALM
September 2010 was designated
as the beginning of our year-long
celebration of the founding of Palm
Schwenkfelder Church. There will
be numerous events throughout
the next year to commemorate
our long history. We formed
a 100th anniversary coordination
committee to oversee the activities. The
committee members are David Luz, Ed Bieler,
and Anne Goda.
Schwenckfeld Manor
1290 Allentown Rd.
Lansdale, PA 19446
215-362-0227
www.advancedlivinginc.org
Office Hours:
Mon.–Fri. 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
THE SCHWENKFELDIAN 17

18
The Ladies’ Aid harvest dinner was held
on Saturday, September 11, from 4:00 p.m.
to 7:00 p.m. Many people enjoyed the menu
of roast beef, turkey, filling, carrots, green
beans, and many different desserts. There
were even items for sale such as our ladies’
famous chow chow, baked goods, and Palm
Schwenkfelder items like T-shirts, afghans,
and cookbooks. It was a great evening for
everyone to enjoy delicious food and warm
fellowship.
We held our Rally Day on September 12
to start off our year of Sunday School. The
theme for the morning was holy laughter.
A covered dish breakfast started off the morning
for all those who attended. Our Sunday
School year looks to be a good one. Come
join us in one of our many classes if you are
interested in getting closer to God’s word.
spotlight
Personal Notes
MARRIAGES
Ryan Jakovac to Stephanie Simpson on Saturday, August 7, 2010. (Central)
Thomas F. McGinley to Heather Ford on Saturday, September 25, 2010.
(Central)
WINTER 2011
Jonathan Wickersham to Nina DiCicco in Lederach on Saturday,
September 25, 2010. (Central)
Eli Zygmuntowicz to Sarah Bergey on Orcas Island, Washington,
on Saturday, July 17, 2010. (Central)
BIRTHS
Samuel McBrien Connolly, son of Jeffery and Lauren (McBrien)
Connolly, October 7, 2010. (Central)
DEDICATIONS
Kamin Julian Scavetti, son of Julian and Tara Scavetti,
November 11, 2010. (Central)
Althea Ruth Sensenig, daughter of Adam and Bonnye
(Buthlay) Sensenig, November 3, 2010. (Central)
Harrison Francis Ottinger, son of Stephanie Firth,
October 24, 2010. (Central)
Palm Schwenkfelder Church was proud to
hold the dedication of our new Allen Organ
on October 17 during our worship service.
A special organ recital was held at 3:00 p.m.
that same day. The featured organist was
Aram Basmadjian, who has earned acclaim
throughout the United States from critics and
audiences. He shared his talent while also
demonstrating the versatility of our new Allen
Quantum organ.
Barb Master was welcomed as our new
Youth Director at Palm Church. She will be
developing, coordinating, and administering
the youth programs, including the children’s
Christmas program in December. Congratulations
and thanks to Barb Master for stepping
up to this assignment.
In preparation for the holiday bazaar, the
Ladies’ Aid held two cookie baking sessions
AUGUST – NOVEMBER 2010
DEATHS
on November 6 and 13.Anyone who was willing
to help was invited to the Church kitchen
to make batter, decorate, and wrap up cookies.
People with all levels of baking experience
were welcome! What a wonderful way
for the ladies of the Church to come together
and work for a common goal.
On Saturday, November 20, the Ladies’
Aid held their annual holiday bazaar from
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The day was filled with
good food, good fellowship and many crafters
offering holiday shopping opportunities. A
light lunch was served, along with many wonderful
baked goods. This year, we also had a
kids’ corner where children could make crafts,
listen to Christmas stories, and enjoy a snack.
It was a great way to let parents enjoy shopping
while their children were well occupied
nearby. ✞
Robert A. Freed, age 68, husband of Sylvia (Easley) Freed of Lansdale,
September 2, 2010. Services September 11, 2010; interment at Garden
of Memories in Worcester. (Central)
Ralph E. Graber, age 88, husband of Goldie (Fox) Graber of Hereford,
July 20, 2010. Services July 26, 2010; interment at Palm Schwenkfelder Cemetery.
(Palm)
Thomas Dale Pfister, Sr., age 55, husband of Sherry Anne (Paden) Pfister of
Morwood, September 3, 2010. Services September 9, 2010; interment at Christ Covenant
Cemetery in Mainland. (Central)
Colleen E. “Beth” (Thomas) Pusey, age 42, wife of Ralph S. Pusey of Pennsburg,
August 5, 2010. Services August 13, 2010; interment at Palm Schwenkfelder Cemetery.
(Palm)
Victor J. Rumkevicius, age 67, husband of Patricia Rumkevicius of Towamencin,
July 21, 2010. Services July 31, 2010; interment at Garden of Memories in Worcester.
(Central)
Kenneth David Slough, Jr., age 78, husband of Lore (Friend) Slough of West
Norriton, October 18, 2010. Services October 23, 2010; interment at Riverside Cemetery,
West Norriton, PA. (Olivet)
Kenneth G. Tucker, age 77, of Harleysville, husband of the late Mary Lou (Hughes)
Tucker, November 15, 2010. Services November 24, 2010; interment at Garden of
Memories in Worcester. (Central)
Miriam (Keinard) Zeigler, age 91, of Fairview Village, wife of the late Edward Allen
and Robert W. Zeigler, November 16, 2010. Services private; interment at Riverside
Cemetery, West Norriton, Pa. (Olivet)

heritage
In Retrospect BY GLENNA FULMER
50 YEARS AGO
On August 28, 1960, the fourth
annual United Schwenkfelder
Youth Fellowship picnic was held
at the woodland in Tylersport.
130 people attended the day’s
activities which included games of volleyball,
badminton and quoits, a supper served by
Norristown, the host church, and a talk on
Communion by Richard Schweiker.
As President of the Lansdale Ministerium,
Pastor Jack Rothenberger was privileged to
be the first minister to conduct daily devotions
on the new radio station in Lansdale
—WNPV 1440 on the dial. The ministers
of the North Penn area will take turns as
the pastor of the week for these devotional
broadcasts.
Attorney George K. Brecht was honored
as he completed 56 years as Moderator of
the Norristown Church and also observed
the 93rd anniversary of his birth.
The Rev. William B. Bradshaw, minister of
the Central Schwenkfelder Church, terminated
his pastorate on November 15, 1960.
He has accepted an opportunity to further
his education as a research student in the
field of the New Testament, working under
a number of professors in Scotland.
The Religion Club at Perkiomen School,
organized last year by Rev. Fred Trimble, has
a new purpose—to obtain a better understanding
of the great religions of the world.
Plans are to make as many trips as possible to
different houses of worship in the Allentown–
Philadelphia area.
Miss Ruth Kriebel showed slides taken on
her trip to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland
before a group of golden agers at the
Central Church. Of special interest were
scenes of the Passion Play at Oberammergau.
Leslie Jones was presented the Eagle Scout
Award on November 6. Leslie is a member
of Boy Scout Troop 133 which is sponsored
jointly by Wentz’s United Church of Christ
and the Central Schwenkfelder Church.
On October 23, in the Lansdale Church
as part of the annual layman’s Sunday, the
guest speaker was Richard Schweiker, successful
candidate for the House of Representatives
in Washington, D.C. Pastor Rothenberger
of the Lansdale Church was invited by
Governor Lawrence to join about 40 church
leaders in a special meeting of all denomi-
national leaders of the State’s Protestant
churches, plus Roman Catholic and Jewish
leaders, and Health & Welfare representatives
in Harrisburg to deal with the problem
of juvenile delinquency. ✞
25 YEARS AGO
George K. Allison started his
duties on July 1, 1985, as Perkiomen
School’s 13th Headmaster.
On September 29, 1985, at the
Lansdale Church, Jonathan K.
White was ordained into the Christian ministry
as he answered a call to serve there as
their pastor.
Central Church member Dottie Heebner
has been hired to the newly created position
of Director of Music. She directed 50 high
school, college, and career young people from
six area churches in presenting the musical
“The Race is On.”
Rev. Tom Byron and his wife, Nancy, led
a party of nine Central Church members on
a wilderness trip to Mt. Washington in June.
Rev. Jack Rothenberger and his wife, Jean,
led a delegation of five adults and eight Sr.
High youths to the International Christian
Endeavor convention held at Hope College in
Holland, Michigan, in July. They also hosted
21 other people on a trip to Greece during
the Summer.
At Norristown, the seminary intern, Dr.
John K. Gottschall, took over the position
of Interim Pastor replacing Rev. David A.
Fraser. A call to the pastorate of the Church
was given to Rev. A. William Stebbins who
will begin his duties October 1, 1985.
The Philadelphia Church congregation
celebrated the 13th anniversary of services
and dedication of Rev. T. Arnold Brooker
and his wife Vera. ✞
10 YEARS AGO
Dr. H. Drake Williams, III was
instrumental in preparing a special
issue of THE SCHWENKFELDIAN.
The primary purpose was to
gain a better understanding of
Schwenkfelder thinking, and it included messages
from the pastors of our congregations,
as well as a speech by Rebecca Kummerer,
the Administrative Assistant at the Schwenkfelder
Library & Heritage Center, given at a
recent School of Christ meeting held at the
Hosensack Meetinghouse. Contributing special
messages were Rev. David Luz, Dr. Jack
Rothenberger, Rev. Thomas Byron, Rev. Gene
Jerge, Rev. Karen Gallagher, Rev. Todd Snyder,
Rev. Carol Snyder, Rev. Edward Winslow, and
Dr. H. Drake Williams.
A very heartwarming and nostalgic story
about Allebach’s store in Center Point was
written by Wilson Allebach of the Central
Church. The family-owned store and post
office served the community for 56 years.
Rev. Carol Snyder, Heidi Snyder, Church
Secretary, and Gayle Wallinger of the Palm
Church planned a trip to Haiti to work for
the Living Hope Mission.
The youth group at Olivet-Schwenkfelder
UCC sponsored a parents’ shopping day out.
They provided baby-sitting services so the
parents could go Christmas shopping.
Activity at the Lansdale Church was definitely
increasing with attendance numbers
up. Seven new members were received, a new
children’s choir was organized, ladies of the
Willing Workers group had several projects
under way, and a social time between Sunday
School and the worship service was begun.
A busy month of September at the Central
Church included Rally Day, the Country Fair,
and a new members class. Dr. Peter Erb spoke
at the annual Day of Remembrance. ✞
A small body
of determined spirits
fired by an
unquenchable faith
in their mission
can alter the
course of history.
— Mohandas Gandhi
19

The
PUBLICATION OFFICE
105 Seminary Street
Pennsburg, PA 18073-1898
Published during the Winter, Spring, and Fall
in the interest of the Schwenkfelder Church.
To discontinue mailings, call 215-679-3103
or email info@schwenkfelder.com.
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Tel: (215) 679-3103
www.schwenkfelder.com
Friends of the
Schwenkfelder
Library &
Heritage Center
Programming
2011
January
NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 42
PENNSBURG, PA
The Ice Industry in the Upper Perkiomen Valley
Sunday, January 23, 2011, 2:00 pm
Snow date: January 30, 2011
February
Larry Roeder, the editor and publisher
of the Town and Country
Jason Flexer, the current owner of the
former Sweinhart/Heimbach Ice
Company in East Greenville, now the
Nolt Ice Company
The Pennsylvania Barn
Sunday, March 20, 2011, 2:30 pm
2:00 pm—Annual Meeting of the Friends of
the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center
March
Robert F. Ensminger, author of the
Pennsylvania Barn: It’s Origin,
Evolution and Distribution in North
America
Field Trip:
Kulp’s General Store Museum
Sunday, May 1, 2011, 2:00 pm—4:00 pm
A completely restored country grocery
store with period items! Admission to
Kulp’s General Store is free, but a
donation is appreciated.