Zion Stone Church

The church was organized in 1790 when a group of people withdrew from Friedens Church,New Ringgold. The first church building, built in 1790, was made of logs. An application for 100 acres of land to be used by the united congregations - Evangelical Lutheran and German Reformed - was made by John Michael Hoppes on June 2, 1768. On Januarey 21, 1773, the Right, Title, Claim and Demand was conveyed to Trustees George Gilbert, Adam Zanger, Jacob Mertz and George Schellhamer in trust for the use of both congregations. Mr. Hoppes was a member of the Lutheran Church. Some records indicate that a Mr. Miller of the Reformed Church also donated some of the land. The congregation was organized by Rev. Herman Jacob Schellhart who had held services in schools, barns, and private homes for 13 years prior to the building of the church and he continued to serve the congregation until 1807.

In 1846 the old wooden church was torn down and in its place was erected a stone building. The church was dedicated on October 11 and 12 of the same year. A constitution governing both the Lutheran and Reformed congregations was drawn up in 1846 and in 1850 a schoolhouse and dwelling house were constructed by the members of Zion Church, with the stone hauled from the Blue Mountain by wagon. In 1866, the first church organ was installed and in 1878, sheds for the horses were constructed by memebers. Theses sheds stood until 1943 when the last of them was torn down. The Church steeple was erected in 1883.

The following pictures of the inside of the church were taken by Joanne Rosel Schuler on a her 2003 trip to Pennsylvania. Thank you Joanne!

The alter

The balcony to the left side of the alter.

Below you will find photos, as well as inscriptions, of a few of the tombstones found at this cemetery. I have also included my own note as to known or suspected (?) family relationships. I look forward to taking another trip to this cemetery so that I can add to the collection. If you have pictures of any of the tombstones in this cemetery I would love to include them. Just write to me and send me the photo with inscription.

Please browse with reverence and thanksgiving for the of lives of those who have passed this way before us.

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Johannes Antony Behler geborn 15 Oct 1769 geltorben 14 Oct 1842 _____________________ _____________________ _________ Note - Third son of Conrad Behler

Anna Margareth wife of (in German) Joh Antony Behler geborn 16 day of March 1774 geltorben 8th day of January 1845 _____________________ ________ Note - maiden name believed to be Bencke

Jacob Behler geborn 23 Sept 1793 ______________ mit Fenna Donat____ geltorben 8 April 1880 86 years 6 mon 15 days Note - son of Johannes Antony and Anna Margareth Behler

Fenna Donat wife of(in German) Jacob Behler geborn 7 Nov 1806 geltorben 13 Aug 1866 ________________ ________________ Note - Daughter of Martin Donat and Christina Christ

George Behler geborn 12th day October 1800 geltorben 23rd day July 1862a _____________________ ___ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ Note - son of Johannes Antony and Anna Margareth Behler

John Behler Born March 4, 1817 Died Oct 1 1898 Aged 81 years 6 mth 28 days text Romans 8c 18v Note - son of Johannes Antony and Anna Margareth Behler

Elizabeth wife of John Behler Born Dec 25 1818 Died Nov 16 1886 aged 67 years 10 mths 22 days text: Philipians 3c 20 & 21 _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Note - maiden name was Moyer

Savina Behler July 11, 1856 Dec 4 1879 Note - daughter of John and Elizabeth Behler

The tombstones that follow were contributed by Joanne Rosel Schuler.

Sarah Anna wife of Daniel Schuler born Fritz Born May 10, 1825 Died Feb 29, 1889 age 63 yrs, 9 mo. 18 days Text: Matt. II, 24-44

Daniel Schuler Born Dec. 1816 Died Mar. 1892 Note - Inscription on back of Sarah Anna's stone

Lydia Elizabeth dau of Daniel & Sarah Schuler Born June 13, 1858 Died April 28, 1865 Lived 6 yrs. 10 m. 15 d. Note: Sarah, the mother was a Fritz before Marriage

George M Schuler 1807-1853 Susanna M. Schuler 1805-1849

Fritz Family Monument Elias, Mary, and Moses on three different sides The small stone on the right side is child Mary and other is other daughter Ellen, b. 1854 d. 1875.

In memory of Elias Fritz Born Oct 15, 1843 Died Oct 24, 1889 age 46 yrs. 8days Text Gen. 6, 5 ___

In memory of Mary Fritz Born May 29, 1844 Died Feb. 4, 1925 Age 80 yrs, 8 m. 2 ds.

In memory of Moses Fritz son of Elias and Mary Fritz died Feb. 19, 1905 age 28 yrs 8 ms 14ds

In memory of Mary daughter of Elias and Mary A. Fritz Born______________ Died_______________

Joseph S. Hoppes CO. A. 202ND. REGT. PA. INF April 7, 1843 March 9, 1917

Flora Ann Wife of Joel W Shaller Born Nov._________ died Oct 20,____ 46 yrs, 11 mon 11days

KESSHNER

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