570 683-5104, Church Office

St. James Church

Fishing Creek Township

Picture dated 1951 and is courtesy of Doris Harvey

Today's membership of the charge is much more than it was when Rev. Houtz came in 1869. Rev. Houtz's pastorate was very successful, requiring "the strictest attention in every detail, hard work and study, and close application and observation regarding each individual member in the spiritual oversight of his flock."

The relationship between the pastor and his congregation grew stronger through the baptizing of many children and confirming them into full membership, and later uniting their sons and daughters in matrimony.

J. C. Wenner noted, "The social side of the relation between pastor and people was always most joyous and pleasant. Our pastor always took a deep interest in the affairs of his people, either on the farm, in the workshop, in the store or in professional pursuits in which his people were engaged. He always had a kind word for the hostess of the household in which he visited. The young people and children were always kindly recognized by his friendly greetings. He always shared our sorrows with sympathy and tears when we burled our loved ones, and soothed our broken hearts with the comforting assurance that blessed are those who die in the Lord."

On two or three different occasions he tendered his resignation to the joint consistory to sever his connection of pastoral duties, but each time his resignation was unanimously declined by the joint consistory. Few pastors of any denomination have labored so long and so harmoniously in their charge.

Occasionally in the latter part of his ministry that ran from 1820-22, Rev. Jacob Deiifenbach preached in private houses and in a school house located where the old Pealer and Bellas graveyard is in Fishingcreek township. Tradition says he was a fine German preacher and an excellent singer. After his death, Rev. John Nicholas Zeizer preached here from perhaps 1822 to 1825. His son occasionally filled his appointments.

About the year 1825 there was a Lutheran and Reformed log church built at New Columbus. The Reformed congregation moved their place of worship to this church and procured the services of Rev. Isaac Shellhammer. Here they worshiped till 1840, when they moved to the Creveling Cross Roads school house. Here they remained till 1852. When the St. James church was completed, they occupied it and have continued there ever since.

While the congregation was worshiping at the Cross Roads school house, the desire for some English preaching was expressed on the part of a few members. Accordingly, Rev. H. Funk, who had already been preaching at the old log church where the present St. Gabriel church stands, became their regular English pastor, while Rev. Isaac Shellhammer remained their German pastor. They continued to have two regular pastors till the close of Rev. I. Shellhammer's pastorate in 1858, when the transition from the German to the English language was completed.

Rev. W. Goodrich became the immediate successor of Rev. H. Funk in 1854, and served this congregation until 1865. During his pastorate, he baptized 67 and confirmed 64 persons.

In the spring of 1866, Rev. E. B. Wilson took charge of the congregation and served until 1868, during which time he baptized 15 and confirmed 8 persons. On August 1, 1869, Rev. Alfred Houtz took charge, and up to 1904 baptized 201 and confirmed 204 persons.

In December, 1878, this congregation was incorporated under the title of the St. James Reformed Church and adopted the charter recommended by General Synod. St. James congregation moved from one place to another, until it finally settled down permanently in its present house of worsh