History of Salem Church
Chapter 6. Anniversary Celebrations
The Salem congregation has always been proud of its Christian heritage. Anniversary services, held every 10 years since 1919, have been significant events in the Wolfsville community. During these celebrations, in addition to services in the church, the congregation always makes a pilgrimage to the place of its beginning, the Hoover barn.
100th Anniversary
The congregation’s 100th anniversary was held on Sunday, August 17, 1919, during the pastorate of Rev. C. W. Christman. These day-long services, according to “The Valley Register,” drew the largest crowd ever assembled in Wolfsville. All three services were held in the Hoover barn. The newspaper article said, Most interesting United Brethren centennial exercises were held on Sunday at Wolfsville, in the Hoover barn where preaching by the United Brethren denomination was held 100 years ago. Rev. Dr. A. B. Statton, superintendent of the Pennsylvania Conference, spoke in the morning and Rev. Dr. C. I. Brane, associate editor of the Religious Telescope, Dayton, Ohio, in the afternoon, both of which were most able addresses, Dr. Brane speaking in a reminiscent strain. A quarterly conference was held in the afternoon as well as an old-time experience meeting. The Men’s Chorus from the United Brethren Church at Chewsville sang. Special services were also held last night. The same stand used at the service 100 years ago was in service on Sunday and old perforated tin lanterns, also used at the services a century ago, was an object of much interest. In the barn, eight pins were in evidence from which lanterns were hung when services were held at night. Persons were present from this city, Keedysville, Rohrersville, Monroe, Mt. Carmel and other portions of Washington county. It is estimated that fully 2,000 persons were present in the afternoon it being impossible for many to get into the barn. All of the services were largely attended. At this point in time, the Hoover homestead was owned by A. E. Hoover, great-grandson of John Hoover.
110th Anniversary
President Hoover was invited, but didn’t attend the 110th anniversary celebration, held on July 21, 1929, during the pastorate of Rev. Palmer M. Slenker. Two services were held in the church and two in the barn.
120th Anniversary
Rev. Stanley G. Sherriff was pastor of the congregation when the church marked its 120th anniversary on July 16, 1939.
140th Anniversary
Rev. John W. Schildt was the pastor when the church observed its 140th anniversary with special services on July 19, 1959. These special services served as a homecoming for a number of former members as well as many former pastors, namely, Rev. Joy W. Yoke (pastor from 1912-1915), Rev. Palmer M. Slenker (1928-33), Rev. Stanley G. Sherriff (1938-42) was unable to attend but sent a tape recorded message, and Rev. Albert Snyder (1945-56).
150th Anniversary
The congregation celebrated its 150th anniversary on July 27, 1969. Morning, afternoon, and evening services were held under the pastoral guidance of Rev. Robert E. Hawk. Speaker in the morning service was the church’s ministerial son, Rev. Marvin L. Kline. The traditional Pilgrimage Service was held in the afternoon with former pastor Rev. John W. Schildt preaching, with the remainder of the service being held in the Hoover barn. At the evening Service of Dedication, former pastor Rev. Russell Oyer brought the message. Rev. Oyer was pastor from 1933-45.
160th Anniversary
The 160th anniversary celebration was held on August 12, 1979. Rev. H. Ronald Ellis directed the morning, afternoon, and evening services. Participation consisted of laity and former pastors, Rev. John W. Schildt (1956-61), Rev. Carl A. Synan (1961-65), Rev. Robert E. Hawk (1969-74), Rev. Stewart Crank (1974-75), and Rev. Nelson M. Pittinger (1975-79).
170th Anniversary
Salem’s 170th anniversary was celebrated on May 21, 1989. The traditional three services, one being in the Hoover barn, were made memorable by members of the present congregation, former members, former pastors, and visitors. Rev. H. Ronald Ellis led the services and introduced the guest speakers, Rev. Eugene W. Matthews, District Superinendent, Rev. John W. Schildt, and Rev. Marvin L. Kline. Rev. Nelson M. Pittinger also participated. The service in the barn was very meaningful as members and friends reminisced about events that had occurred in that place and in the life of Salem Church many years before.
175th Anniversary
Members and friends of Salem Church broke the tradition of ten-year observances in order to celebrate a special milestone in 1994, 175 years since the church’s founding. The morning service was conducted by Rev. Hayden L. Sparks and numerous members of the congregation. Many visitors were on hand. All in attendance received a color photo of Salem Church as it looked on that day.
180th Anniversary
The 180th Anniversary celebration was held June 27, 1999, under the pastorate of Randall S. Reid. Included was the traditional pilgrimage to the Hoover Barn.
190th Anniversary
The 190th Anniversary celebration was held July 25, 2009, under the pastorate of Robert E. Snyder. Morning and evening services were held, along with an evening dinner outdoors in a large tent at the rear of the church. The dinner, catered by Mountain Gate Family Restaurant of Thurmont, was free to all as Salem’s gift to the Wolfsville community. Former pastors attending the celebration were Rev. John Schildt, Rev. H. Ronald Ellis, Rev. Hayden L. Sparks, Rev. Randy Reid, and Rev. Katie Bishop. Highlights of the celebration were a Book of Remembrances where Salem’s former and present members were asked to write about their remembrances of Salem; and a 17-minute video titled “The History of Salem Church — 1819-2009.”
200th Anniversary Celebration
By Fonda Gormer
Salem celebrated its 200th birthday with a full day of activities on Sunday, July 28, 2019.
The day dawned with sunny skies and the promise of typical hot July weather. Thankfully, the sanctuary is now air-conditioned, making for more comfortable worship than may have been experienced long ago.
At the traditional morning worship service, Rev. H. Ronald Ellis, former pastor at Salem from 1979-1989, spoke on the topic “I Can Only Imagine.” The service included a puppet play, music by the Adult Choir, and prayer by Frank Stottlemyer, Jr., a retired missionary who grew up in the Salem congregation.
The contemporary morning service included a puppet play, music by Works in Progress Praise Band, and a message “Celebrating 200 Years” by current pastor, Rev. Robert Snyder.
At 3 p.m., worshipers gathered again in the sanctuary, with a prayer by pastoral son, Rev. Marvin Kline.
Special music was provided by the Children’s Choir and Marlene Young, who also grew up in Salem’s congregation.
Rev. John W. Schildt, pastor from 1956-1961, presented the message, “The Ripple Effect.”
Bill Burrier shared a time capsule cassette tape, prepared by the 1977 Youth Fellowship, that he had converted to video format. Many of the young people featured on the tape were in attendance as adults with grown children of their own.
And then, off to the barn!
Bill and Joyce Weaver provided period music in the barn while worshipers were walking through Wolfsville, from the current house of worship to one of the original places of worship in 1819. That date is still evident in the Hoover barn’s cornerstone.
The barn, currently owned by Jeff and Patty Hurwitz, has been restored and people were again able to worship inside.
Rev. Snyder gave a brief history of Salem. Lori Williamson’s solo, “I Can Only Imagine,” echoed the morning message. What would things have been like 200 years ago, worshiping in Wolfsville?
The day ended with a picnic dinner catered by Mountain Gate Family Restaurant. Approximately 200 guests gathered in Salem’s pavilion and under a tent rented from Totally Tents. Prayer was offered by Rev. John Wunderlich, Salem’s new District Superintendent. Works in Progress provided music and there were games for the children.
As the sun began to set, ice cream from South Mountain Creamery was served. What a great way to end a day of worship, remembrance and celebration!