In the year 1801, our Lutheran forbears erected the first house of worship ever to be built in McConnellsburg. It stood on the same plot of ground occupied by the present brick building. Originally, it was a two-story structure. Some say it was a log building, later weatherboarded; while others speak of it as of frame construction. The likelihood is that it was built of logs, later weatherboarded, and painted red. Like many other old churches, it had a gallery and a high, narrow pulpit approached by steps.
The ground was deeded by Daniel McConnell and his wife, Mary, on May 8, 1798, to Vandle Ott, Philip Coleman and George Humbert as trustees of the Lutheran Church.
We know little of the early activity of this pioneer congregation in addition to that indicated by the ministerial acts recorded by its first pastors. However, as early as August 19, 1833, it is recorded that the "congregation assembled and tore down the inside of the old building in order to have it altered."
Prior to 1830, the Lutherans and Reformeds worshipped together in the "German Church," as their first building was called, but in 1834, the Reformed congregation organized, called their first pastor, and began to worship in the Union "White Church," directly south across the street from the present Presbyterian Church.
In 1848, the brick building now in use was erected. Of course, it has undergone some changes to accommodate itself to the needs of the passing years, but that is a story about which little is known because of the loss of earlier records.
It was difficult for the older people to break away from the use of their native tongue, as is indicated by a resolution of October 26, 1863, when the pastor was requested to "preach German every four weeks immediately after the English for a time indefinite."
The ground was deeded by Daniel McConnell and his wife, Mary, on May 8, 1798, to Vandle Ott, Philip Coleman and George Humbert as trustees of the Lutheran Church.
We know little of the early activity of this pioneer congregation in addition to that indicated by the ministerial acts recorded by its first pastors. However, as early as August 19, 1833, it is recorded that the "congregation assembled and tore down the inside of the old building in order to have it altered."
Prior to 1830, the Lutherans and Reformeds worshipped together in the "German Church," as their first building was called, but in 1834, the Reformed congregation organized, called their first pastor, and began to worship in the Union "White Church," directly south across the street from the present Presbyterian Church.
In 1848, the brick building now in use was erected. Of course, it has undergone some changes to accommodate itself to the needs of the passing years, but that is a story about which little is known because of the loss of earlier records.
It was difficult for the older people to break away from the use of their native tongue, as is indicated by a resolution of October 26, 1863, when the pastor was requested to "preach German every four weeks immediately after the English for a time indefinite."