Brownville Church

(1842-)

The Weekly Pilgrim Jan. 28, 1873  page 30 Vol. 4 No. 4

A Brief Sketch of the Brethren in Middletown Valley, MD.

 Dear brethren. – A short time ago, I read in the Pilgrim a brief history of the brethren of Shenandoah Valley, Va., which was interesting to me, and no doubt to others. I will therefore give a similar account of our church, as it has existed in Middletown Valley, Frederick Co. Md., at least as far as I can recollect, and from what I have learned from others older than myself.

 Among the first of the brethren who came to this state, at least in the vicinity where the writer resides, was John Slifer, the writers grandfather, who from the best date, emigrated here from Bucks Co., Pa., about the year 1780. I saw, in the year 1833 the very house in which he was born, and also lodged there one night.  Its location is near a village called Fryburg, Lehigh Co. Pa.  With him, my grandfather, came his wife, her brother, whose name was Gaver, and a sister who had married a man by the name of Peter Miller.  All those name except John Slifer were natives of New Jersey.  All were members of the church.  I never learned what part of New Jersey they came from, but presume it was across the Delaware river from Doylstown, as I understand there is a congregation of the brethren there yet.  About the same time, there were several families also, in this Valley, yet north of this place some distance, by the name of Leatherman, Grossnickle, and Harshman.

  When they organized a church cannot tell. About the year 1810, their preachers, were Leatherman and Furguson; the later was the first English preacher in these section, of the Brethren, or indeed any other denomination.  I have been told that he always had large congregations to hear him.

  About the year 1820 their preachers were Jacob Leatherman, Christian Hershman and John Holler, all of whom are dead. Then followed Daniel Brown and Christian Hershman who are also dead.

  In 1840 Henry Koontz and Geo. Bear were elected.  The latter died about a year ago.  Bro. Koontz having moved out of the district, the writer was elected in this place in 1847.  Since the latter period, the circuit in which the brethren named officiate, embracing the entire Valley of Middletown, has been divided, the National Turnpike being the dividing line. North of the turnpike the ministering brethren are Jonathan Baker and Geo. Leatherman, and the congregation is best known as the Grosnickle Church.  South of said pike the congregation is known as the Brownville Church.  Brownsville is in Washington Co., Md.  Those who minister in Holy things, in that congregation are Cornelius Castle, Eli Yourtee and the writer.

  With regard to the prosperity (spiritual) of the congregations, I presume it will compare favorably with others of our churches, as none of us are without our difficulties.  But I think I may now say, for both divisions, that it is our purpose to endeavor to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  He being our Foundation and chief corner stone.  It therefore behooves us to be careful as to the material we use in building thereon.  Let it be that which is described by the apostle Paul as geingt superior to all the rest, - gold.  There are other material that are interior. Silver, precious, stone, wood, hay, stubble.  The best material possesses dress, showing that there is a necessity for the interesding prayers of our Savior in our behalf, - having gone to prepare a mansion for us.  Let us glorify His name.

Emanuel Slifer.

Burkettsville, Md.