BACKGROUND HISTORY
The disastrous Johnstown Flood of 1889 caused many citizens of Johnstown to look for higher ground on which to build their homes. The gently sloping fields of the Von Lunen and Rodgers farms attracted much attention. The Johnson Railway Co. relocated from the Woodvale section of town to within the loop of the river in the area. Mr. Tom Johnson laid out this area above the railway works in streets and lots and named it MOXHAM to honor his partner in business Mr. Arthur J. Moxham. Also attracted to this new settlement were persons from Bedford, Somerset and Westmoreland Counties seeking employment and a new place to establish homes for their families. In the next few years various denominations began to establish churches. However there was no place of worship for those of the Lutheran faith and this became a concern not only for the new residents of Moxham but also the pastors of Lutheran churches located within the confines of city boundaries at that time. Most of the Lutherans living in Moxham traveled "downtown" to attend the First Lutheran Church or Trinity Lutheran in the Hornerstown section of town. This became inconvenient for young families with children especially in the winter months. So steps were taken in 1893 to remedy the situation.
IN THE BEGINNING - A SUNDAY SCHOOL
SEPTEMBER 1893 - A committee composed Dr. James S. Koontz, George S. Paul,
Martin L. Rhoads, Joseph W. Buchanan and Henry F. Leventry invited some Lutherans of the Moxham area to a meeting in Paul's Hall (located at the corner of Coleman Ave. and Village St.). As a result of their efforts, on October 1, 1893. thirteen people met with pastors of (3) Lutheran Churches (First, Trinity and Grace) in Johnstown to establish a Sunday School in the Moxham district. S. H. Cauffiel was named Superintendent and Paul's Hall became the meeting place at a rental of $1.25 per session.
OCTOBER 15, 1893 - The new Sunday School convened for the first time with 80 persons present. It was agreed that the First Lutheran Church downtown should assume responsibility for this new organization maybe because many already were attending there.
NOVEMBER, 1896 - A Ladies Aid Society was formed and on Sept. 13, 1897 this group purchased a lot and house at 637-639 Coleman Ave. The lot was later used as the site of a new chapel with the house moved to the rear of the lot and used as needed. This move was approved by the Council of First Lutheran on April 19. 1901 and on May 11, 1902 the new chapel was dedicated and became the center of activity for Lutherans living in the Moxham area. The First Lutheran Church was doing some remodeling at this time and thus donated pews and their historic white altar to help furnish the chapel.
AUGUST 17, 1902 - Dr. William A. Shipman, Pastor of First Lutheran and Pastor-in-Charge of the new Sunday School administered the first Communion in the new chapel. Approximately 125 people received the sacrament. Dr. Shipman served the Moxham branch until May 16, 1905. The Rev. C. E. Smith who was called as assistant pastor at First Lutheran then became Pastor-in-Charge and served until April of 1907. During this time the membership steadily increased and the needs of the Moxham branch grew rapidly.
Groups which had their beginnings before the formal chartering of Moxham Lutheran Church included the Christian Endeavor on May 24, 1902. This was for the youth of the Sunday School and later became known as Luther League and today as the Youth Group. In September of 1902 a Sunday School Library was organized because many books had been donated by First Lutheran and area families. On October 8, 1905 a Women's Home and Foreign Missionary Society was formed. This group and the Ladies Aid later merged and became known as WELCA (Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America). Also in 1907 a Lutheran Brotherhood was formed for the men of the Sunday School.
On-Our Own
MOXHAM LUTHERAN CHURCH
MAY 5, 1907 - With sentiment in favor of becoming independent of First Lutheran Church, a congregational meeting was held and the proposed separation discussed. The members voted in favor of this move and the first Council of Moxham Lutheran Church was elected. Records reveal that about 125 persons became charter members of this new congregation.
MAY 19, 1907 - The Reverend Henry S. Rhoads was elected as the first pastor of Moxham Lutheran Church. He accepted the call and began his services on July 15, 1907 and served until April 9, 1916. During his tenure the congregation, along with its organizations continued a rapid growth and a need for a larger building became evident.
JULY 10, 1914 - Plans for a new church to be built at the corner of Park Ave. and Ohio St. were submitted to the congregation and approved. Ground was broken on March 1, 1915 and one year later on March 12, 1916 a beautiful new house of worship was dedicated and is still in use today. The laying of the corner stone took place on May 16, 1915 and contains the following; a copy of the King James version of the Bible; the Sunday School report for the preceding Sunday; a list of pledges for the new church; the annual reports for the years 1911 through 1914; the program for the laying of the Corner Stone; the current issues of the Lutheran Observer, the Lutheran Women's Work, the Augsburg Sunday School Teacher, current copies of three local newspapers, a Lincoln penny and a 1915 nickel. All these items were placed in a metal container, presented and sealed by a friend of the congregation - Mr. William McVicker.
JULY 1, 1916 - After the resignation of Rev. Rhoads, the pastorate was assumed by The Reverend Harry C. Michael. Shortly thereafter World War I came as a shock to the world and Moxham Lutheran did what they could to help the war effort. We were able to emerge from this period virtually unaffected as a congregation but saddened by the death of one its young men - Mr. Louis Donges - who lost his life in the service of his country.
MAY 15, 1921 - A handsome new altar was dedicated. It was given to the church by the Ladies Aid Society to replace the historic white altar.
JANUARY 1924 - A resolution was presented to the congregation for the following: a residence be purchased or built for use as a parsonage; the basement of the church be rearranged and finished for the growing Sunday School; and redecoration of the sanctuary. A beautiful and well-arranged home with garage was erected on the lot adjoining the church property. It was first occupied in January 1925 by Reverend and Mrs. Michael.
MARCH 21, 1926 - A mortgage-burning ceremony was held, commemorating the repayment in full of the original indebtedness on the church building. This was accomplished within a ten-year period - quite an undertaking in those days.
JUNE 8,1938 - The Central Pennsylvania Synod was formed through the merger of the former Allegheny, East Pennsylvania, West Pennsylvania, and Susquehanna Synods. Moxham Lutheran had been affiliated with the former Allegheny Synod which included the Johnstown, Somerset, Altoona and Clearfield Districts.
AUGUST 1940 - Due to Pastor Michael's declining health, The Reverend Russell J. Olson -was called to be Assistant Pastor but resigned one year later. Rev. Michael resigned on August 2, 1942. During his last few months the remaining indebtedness of the congregation was paid in full - now the congregation was debt-free.
1942 - Again America was at war - World War II. This time an honor roll was placed in the vestibule of the church with names of the men and women who were serving in the armed forces. In 1943 the Women of the Alpha Beta Bible Class presented a Service Flag on which 110 names appeared.
MARCH 16, 1943 - The Reverend George I. Melhorn began his services as third pastor of Moxham Lutheran and served until October of 1971.
SEPTEMBER 12, 1943 - The congregation voted to purchase the Louther property adjoining the parsonage. This included a large frame residence built by former Lt. Governor Robert Murphy in 1902. It was renovated for use as a Parish House and later razed to make room for a much needed parking lot when another adjoining property was purchased for use as a Parish House.
1946 - Moxham Lutheran contributed generously in money, time and effort to two major projects within the territory of the East and West Allegheny Conferences - the Home for the Aged established in Hollidaysburg and the acquisition of ground and organization of Camp Sequanota, near Jennerstown in Somerset County. Dr. Melhorn was deeply involved in both these projects especially Camp Sequanota.
JULY 28, 1946 - An ambitious program of improvements got underway which included rearrangement of the Chancel and installation of a new Moehler Organ. The work was completed and dedicated in August of 1948.
1950's - Due to continued growth it was apparent the Pastor needed some help so in June of 1950 The Reverend Robert H. Sternat was called as Assistant Pastor but his stay was short. On October 14, 1.951 Sister Edna McVicker, a native of Bedford was installed as a Deaconess to serve the congregation. She stayed for ten years. Also during these years Moxham Lutheran joined with First and Trinity Lutheran Churches in alternating the radio broadcasting of Sunday morning services. And through volunteer efforts a number of men from the congregation erected a stone cabin at Camp Sequanota. Also as office duties became more apparent the first full-time secretary was hired.
OCTOBER, 1963 - The congregation voted to acquire the property at 538 Park Ave. for use as a Parish House. This gave the church ownership of 10 city lots of ground extending from Ohio Street to Sam's Run. In later years this property was sold and all activities as well as the church office were moved to the confines of the church proper.
FEBRUARY, 1966 - A set of 25 Schulmerich handbells was donated by Mrs. Marjorie Clement for the purpose of establishing a handbell choir. Subsequent donations of bells by Mrs. Virginia Berkebile and Mrs. Ray Dunkle extended the set to include 49 or four octaves of bells. The original Bell Choir took part in five national conventions of the AGFHR (American Guild of English Handbell Ringers).
JULY, 1966 - The Reverend Richard C. Weaver was called as the third Assistant Pastor and served for 2-1/2 years.
OCTOBER 25, 1967 - Pastor Melhorn organized a group for older members of the church to be known as "The Friendly Fellowship". This group has continued to serve the church in many ways even though the name may have changed over the years.
MAY 21, 1972 - The Reverend Vernon J. Miller officiated at his first service as the fourth pastor. During his tenure he was assisted between 1973 and 1978 by five intern and one student assistant pastors. Namely they were;
1973 - Fred L. Romig
1974 - Neal 0. Hively
1975 - J. Itincent Guss
1976 - Timothy L. Anderson
1977 - Timothy W. Bingrmn
1978 - Jeffrey L. Walters (student assistant)
1977 - Another extensive program of improvements and modernization was undertaken. The project was financed through a "Venture in Faith" fund-raising program. Dedication of the completed project was held January 9, 1977. Just six months later on July 20, 1977 Johnstown experienced its third major flood. Eighteen inches of water entered the newly renovated basement with a minimum of loss compared to the churches surrounding Moxham Lutheran.
SEPTEMBER 23, 1979 - Timothy W. Bingman was called as Assistant Pastor. His ordination was held in Moxham Lutheran on November 18, 1979. and served until ___________
Up to and including 1999 many sons and daughters of the congregation have or are serving in the ministry of Our Lord Jesus Christ. They are :
The Reverend William H. Blough (deceased)
The Reverend Donald L. Rhoads (deceased)
The Reverend J. Keeler
The Reverend Paul R. Hoover
The Reverend Paul F. Luebbe
The Reverend Donald D. Oravec
The Reverend Daun E. McKee
The Reverend Kenneth M. Diable
The Reverend Karen Stiles
Eleanor Abarno (soon to be ordained)
A daughter of the congregation, Miss Mary Trent, served approximately 15
years
in Liberia, Africa, in the Dr. Frank Laubach Literacy program. Her special
work
was writing educational materials and textbooks for the Lutheran Church in
Liberia.
MAY 5, 1982 - The 75th Anniversary of the chartering of Moxham Lutheran Church was celebrated. after 6 months of planning and special monthly services beginning in January of 1982.
Other items of note to be expanded as time permits:
Departure of Rev. Miller and Rev. Bingman ,
Tenure of Rev. Buecbner
Sale of brick Parish House
New organ console
Coming of Rev and Mrs. DeVore
Donation of Chime Bells
Information provided by Martha Hemminger