Mountville Church

(1882-)

The Gospel Messenger   Dec. 11, 1883 page 363 Vol. 21 No. 49

From Elizabethtown, Pa.—Nov. 2.

Dear Brethren:—

The Spring Creek church (located in Dauphin, Lebanon and Lancaster counties), is at peace and in good working order. So also is the White Oak church in Lancaster county in which a Love-feast was held, commencing on the morning of the 10th ult., ending on the 11th, at noon. It was well attended by ministers, and members; the crowd filled the large room 60 by 80 feet. The preaching was good; there was an election held for one minister and two deacon; Israel Grabill, minister; Reuben d Grabill and brother Minchig, deacons. Brother Benjamin Eby was ordained to the eldership of said church. The White Oak church has of late been divided into two districts; the old elder J, S, Newcomer fell into the part called the Mountville district. Hence the necessity of ordaining brother Eby for the other part, retaining the old name.

  From there I started the next day for Talbot county, Md., in company with wife and daughter, Bro. S. R. Zug and wife, to attend the Love feast in the Peach Blossom church on the 13th  uit, which was also a pleasant waiting upon the Lord. Congregation not so large but quiet and attentive hearers.

  Apparently the membership is bound to increase on the soil of the eastern shore of Md. Of late some have moved into Caroline Co., about twenty miles north of the Peach Blossom church, and by Spring about nineteen members will be settled in that section, members enough to organize another church. Indeed I look upon that section of country as a great opening for cheap homes; a field of vast church extension Land is just as cheap as in the Par West, and soil good if care is taken in purchasing. There is some danger for "green" hands in buying land in Caroline county. Newcomers should avoid purchasing on the east side of the Choptank River, as all along, about four miles, is an immense sand bed; a soil that can never be improved permanently. But the western side of the river has a subsoil of clay, and therefore allows permanent improvement. Talbot county is by far the best improved, in some sections, and apparently about twenty years ahead of Caroline in that point. The Peach Blossom church has two ministers, and two deacons. Caroline county expects to have one minister and one deacon. When down there last, we also paid a visit to some of those lately moved there. The country, would be very beautiful if the necessary improvements were made. May God bless the inhabitants.

Wm. Hertzler.

The Gospel Messenger Jan. 19, 1918 page 45 Vol. 67 No. 3

Mountville. – At a previous council, held at the Petersburg house, Dec. 12, the Montville congregation, which had a membership of nearly 400, decided to organize into two separate congregations. A committee of five was appointed to formulate lines and meet the church in a special council on New Year’s Day at the Mountville house. After considering the different lines, one was agreed on, and the congregation was divided. Elders Isaac W. Taylor, Harry B. Yoder and Nathan Fahnestock, were present, and the southern part of the congregation agreed to organize under the old name “Mountville,” but to have two churchhouses, - Mountville and Manor. Five of the former officers, three minister and two deacons, reside in the southern part, of Mountville congregation, and we decided to elect more officers. our former elder Bro. H. E. Light was chose to continue. We also held an election for minister and two deacons. In the election for a minister, two brethren were so nearly a tie that the church thought best to install both, namely Bro. Norman K. Musser, R. D. 2, Columbia, Pa., and Bro. Harry C. Neff, R. D. 1, Washington Boro, Pa.  Brethren Harry C. Gerlach and Mablon Bushong were elected to the deacon’s office. The writer was chosen as “Messenger” correspondent. The northern part of the congregation will organize in the near future. An interesting program was rendered by the Missionary Committee at the Mountville house. Eld. George Weaver gave us a very interesting talk. He also preached for us on Sunday morning. Annie L. Neff, R. D. 1, Lancaster, Pa., Jan. 8