… The Schwenkfelder Church, 100th Anniversary 2009

Part 1: Early Thoughts for Organization – June, 2009

The years leading up to the agreement which formed the Society of Schwenkfelders in 1782 were busy years filled with many discussions and a number of significant accomplishments. The achievements mentioned in this “Caspar’s Corner” will provide some indication of the thoughts and actions of the 18th century Schwenkfelders prior to their creating an organized Society.

The largest group of Schwenkfelder immigrant families arrived in Pennsylvania in 1734. By this time, several families had already arrived and established separate homes. This large group first considered purchasing a large tract of land and establishing a community modeled on the villages of their homeland. This would have consisted of homes built together in a central location with farmland surrounding the cluster of homes. Unable to find a suitably large tract of land at a price they were willing to pay, they quickly gave up this more communal style of settlement and purchased separate properties. This attempt was, perhaps, their first thought to form a distinct community or group.

George Weiss and Balthasar Hoffman, successively, were each provided a contract as the leader or Minister of the Schwenkfelders. Two housefathers were also appointed as deacons to assist the Minister. At least initially, this seems to be the extent of the Schwenkfelders’ need for organization. The responsibility of the Minister in this early period was the catechizing of the children, performing marriages, and leading Worship services in various homes. Presumably also, the Minister conducted funeral services. This was a most difficult period of time as travel was a challenge and people were preoccupied with the necessity of establishing homes and financial security. A particular concern of the early Ministers was the continuation of proper worship. They encouraged these early Schwenkfelders to pause on Sunday for worship and to gather as they were able in each other’s homes for worship. Preparatory services were conducted, if at all possible, and they were also encouraged to set aside time for the study of scripture with other families. Hymn-singing was a part of worship as well as the daily life of the Schwenkfelders at this time.

A General Conference of the Schwenkfelders in Pennsylvania was called at the home of Christopher Kriebel on October 9, 1762, in Salford. Among the concerns discussed at the Conference were the catechizing of the children and consideration of forming a recognized Society of Schwenkfelders. While the conference decided not to organize as a society, they did decide to move ahead with organizing a school for the education of their children. They also endorsed two early publishing efforts: the publication of a Schwenkfelder hymnal and a catechism. Christopher Schultz had taken the lead in publishing this Schwenkfelder hymnal of 1762. Likewise, at the instruction of the 1762 Conference, Schultz wrote and published the Schwenkfelder catechism of 1763. These two publications became sustaining works for the Schwenkfelders, being reprinted several times each over the next 100 years or so.

Following the Conference of 1762, an agreement was created which formed the Schwenkfelder school system in 1764. In addition to the collection of signatures agreeing to this accord, funds were also gathered to support the schools created. Two schools opened under this system in 1764, one in each of the Upper and Lower Districts. The Upper District School was held in the home of Christopher Schultz and then in the home of Christopher Krauss until a schoolhouse was constructed in 1792. The Lower District began teaching in the home of George Anders, but then in 1765 built a school house in Towamencin Township, in which to hold the classes.

A correspondence also commenced about this time with Schwenkfelders remaining in Silesia, in particular, with Karl Heintze. This correspondence, in addition to providing a venue for theological discussions between the two groups of Schwenkfelders, also became the avenue through which discussion was begun regarding the eventual publication of the Erläuterung – or Vindication of Caspar Schwenckfeld. Written by Christopher Schultz, the intent of the Erläuterung was to tell the true story of Schwenckfeld and his beliefs to people in Silesia from the Schwenkfelder perspective. Received in Germany in 1769, the book went to press in 1771 following two years of seeking permission, finding a printer, and clarifying the content of the publication. Following publication, copies were distributed throughout Silesia as well as sent to Philadelphia. A continuing correspondence between Schultz and Heintze reflects the satisfaction of seeing the book in print as well as displeasure at a number of changes made to the manuscript and printing errors found throughout the book.

By 1782, Christopher Schultz, reflecting the current disposition of the Schwenkfelders, laid the foundation for and then wrote a proposed constitution for a Society of Schwenkfelders. This document was accepted as presented and became the article under which the Society was organized until 1909.