tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3717322201990332006.post9059369097182942531..comments2024-03-27T14:52:02.904-04:00Comments on Little Bits of History Along U.S. Roadways: Old Log ChurchLittle Bits of Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787708365294028181noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3717322201990332006.post-65325863240433043592011-03-03T15:20:57.481-05:002011-03-03T15:20:57.481-05:00Thanks, Ruth for your comments and additional info...Thanks, Ruth for your comments and additional information about how the faith community in Schellsburg is developing beyond its beginnings as the Old Log Church. Your comments are the type of interest and participation I had hoped my blog would create. Thanks, LeeLittle Bits of Historyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05787708365294028181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3717322201990332006.post-23736724635790167332011-03-03T13:52:44.421-05:002011-03-03T13:52:44.421-05:00As a minister, you may be interested in the furthe...As a minister, you may be interested in the further history of the congregations of Schellsburg. By 1852, there were four active churches in the boro, the original Lutheran and German Reformed which began in the Old Log Church along with a Presbyterian congregation and a Methodist society. Eventually, the four churches had to begin cooperative ministries due to the economic conditions of the Great Depression. None of them had a full-time pastor, nor did any of them have worship on a weekly basis. <br /><br />The Methodist building burned in 1945, solidifying a relationship between this congregation and the Presbyterian church. Meanwhile, at the national level, efforts were in the works to help small rural churches survive the changing economic and sociological times. Schellsburg with its four small, struggling churches was chosen in 1962 as the site of a landmark experiment due to existing partnerships among the churches in town: could four small congregations become one larger, stronger congregation?<br /><br />Rev. Daniel Kratz (UCC) was called to lead the merger process along with a council of 12, three from each church. It wasn't easy, but the merger process reached a milestone when on November 22, 1964, the charter of the United Church of Schellsburg United Church of Christ was signed by 216 members of the new church.<br /><br />We're still going strong with 214 members 46 years later. It never has been easy, but we all know that Schellsburg wouldn't have a church at all without the work of our eldest members. What began as a Union church, where two congregations shared facilities and a pastor but maintained separate books and membership lists is now a truly united church. I am privileged to be the pastor of the congregation!<br /><br />Rev. Ruth Shaver<br />Pastor and Teacher<br />United Church of Schellsburg UCC<br />Schellsburg, PAthefunrevhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14889687050520736163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3717322201990332006.post-76267745569259396022011-02-12T13:55:41.205-05:002011-02-12T13:55:41.205-05:00I love the history of our Nation and thank you, Le...I love the history of our Nation and thank you, Lee for this information. I hope you will publish it someday so I can have a permanent record for my children and grandchildren.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01312527567714131139noreply@blogger.com