Henry Melchior Mühlenberg: The Patriarch of American Lutheranism

The transition from the use of German to English caused splits in many congregations, the German party bitterly opposing the introduction of English in the church services. They even felt that they had more in common with the German-speaking Reformed than with the English-speaking Lutherans, and some of them advocated an Evangelical Union such as was then proposed in Prussia.

Harr corresponded with Henry Melchior Mühlenberg, the patriarch of Lutheranism in America and the father of Peter Mühlenberg. Although considered merely a missionary pastor by the church fathers in Germany who had dispatched him to America, Henry Mühlenberg functioned as a bishop, nurturing fledgling congregations, counseling and encouraging ministers and seeking to maintain rigorous pastoral standards.

The church that missionary Schnell was denied use of in July 1747 was located on the church farm at Clary. The 200-acre parcel, part of Lord Fairfax's immense holdings, was surveyed on Dec. 20, 1751, "for the use of the Dutch Chappel or Society of Dutch Protestants including the said chappel (sic)." Listed on the survey are the names of Laurence Snapp, Heironimous Baker, Martin Roller and Henry Felkner, "Elders of the Lutheran Church and Congregation." Their names also turn up in St. Paul's early church records. The same structure is referred to in the will of George Sheasler, drafted in February 1749, as "the Dutch chappel."

When the original church on this lot on Washington Street was built is unknown, but it was probably in the late 1760s. In 1768 the congregation purchased the lot from Peter Stover, the founder of Strasburg, and the first church records date from 1769.

Henry Melchior Mühlenberg noted in his journal that fund collectors from Strasburg and vicinity had visited him on July 3, 1765. "They were formerly prosperous, but several years ago they suffered much from the hostile Indians, etc. Now that they appear to have some degree of peace, they are again coming back to their ruined settlements and are anxious to build a church."

Mühlenberg's journals are an incredible treasure trove for the genealogist, as he carefully recorded his pastoral acts, financial transactions, correspondence, etc, for his personal record (thus he includes subjective opinions, not recorded elsewhere, on people). Marriages, baptisms, funerals, and interactions with neighbors, friends and foes, Lutherans and non-Lutherans alike, are all described in great detail. There is a tremendous amount of data here. The diary is so fascinating you may find yourself reading it cover-to-cover before

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