THE CREAGER-KRIEGER CONGREGATION
THE
CREAGER-KRIEGER
FAMILY
and variants:
CRAGER, CREAGOR, CREEGER, CREIGHER, CREGAN,
CREGAR, CREGER, CREGGAR, CRIGER, CRUGAR
and even CREGAR & RIKER from REGER
and
KRÜGER, KRËGER, KRUEGER, KRÖGER, KROEGER
CREAGER CONGREGATION
of Darke Co., OH
Dedicated to the memory of:
Sarah Margaret (CREAGER) SHIELDS, my grandmother,
wf/o Raymond Dale SHIELDS,
Picture below of Sarah & Raymond.
Eldest child & dau/o Gideon Winfield CREAGER & Mary Jane DUNHAM
50th Anniversary Picture below of my g-grandparents, Gideon & Mary
Gideon, s/o John C. CREAGER & Sarah Ann PRUGH of Montgomery Co., OH
Gravestone Photos
Courtesy of: Audrey (Shields) Hancock
2006
East Zion Cemetery
Greenville Township, Darke County, Ohio
Information Below
Courtesy of:
Joyce Van Tassell of Darke Co., OH
Thank you, Joyce
HISTORY OF THE CREAGER CONGREGATION
I welcome any additional pictures, articles, or information of the metamorphosis of the CREAGER Church to its existence as the East Zion Church today.
- 1844... "Creager Congregation" near Gettysburg, OH organized by Rev. GOOD, assisted by T. H. WINTERS, the CREAGER family and extended family and friends.
- 1875... Reorganized and called "Creager Congregation of the Reformed Church in the U.S."
- 1883... Name changed to "Zion Reformed Church of Greenville Twp., Darke Co., OH." This Church purchased what was previously known as the "Klefeker" brick church (erected 1858-59), and thus the location was changed. Church & cemetery are located on Route 36.
- 1919... While under reconstruction the old church collapsed, thus a new Church had to be built.
- 1921...Arising from bricks from the collapsed church, a new church building was thus dedicated.
- 1947...Ceased being known as a Reformed Church. Joined Congregational Christian Churches and took the name, "East Zion Community Church."
- 1957...Ceased association with Congregational Christian Churches, and became "East Zion Community Church" when associated with Conservative Congregational Christian Fellowship.
I'm sure there are other members' surnames associated with this church that have not been identified. All I have right now are the surnames that Joyce from her records has graciously shared with me. If you are aware of other members and have information, please contact me. It would be great to have information concerning your family members or relatives. If your family members were buried in the church cemetery, please send that information. That would probably indicate that they were members of the church or related to members of the church. If you have gravestone pictures or pictures of the cemetery, please feel free to send for inclusion on our East Zion Cemetery site. If you have any other information, please share. I even notice that there are no SHIELDS mentioned per se, but would imagine a few of the SHIELDS families in Darke County were members of the church also. If you have anything that will help build information for the site, I would be happy to put it on the site. Audrey
Known family names associated with this congregation: Ashman, Aukerman, Bair,
Bateman, Baird, Barrach, Bookwalter, Binkley, Brumbaugh, Buttinger, Burkett, Brubaker, Butt, Craig, Creager, Cline, Clark, Cromer, Crawford, Dickey, Dunn, Dunham, Duebner, Eliker, Etter, Estey, Eshleman, Freeman, Frock, Fenstermaker, Garner, Grimes, Greathouse, Greenwalt, Hay, Heffner, Hershey, Hoffert, Huffman, Hoerner, Jarvis, Johnson, Keefauver, Lent, Lecklider, Livingstone, Lutz, Marks, Mackley, Mann, Miller, Mullan, North, Palmer, Paulin, Paulding, Ryan, Rasor, Reed, Rheinhammer, Sebring, Seibert, Smith, Stewart, Sentman, Slonaker, Swadener, Swartz, Stolz, Scholl, Voght, Wion, Westfall, Wilson, Woodman, Wright, Wellbaum and Zimmerman.
SEE NEAR BOTTOM OF WEBPAGE: Contributions from others of individuals or families connected to the CREAGER Congregation or its future affliates: marriages, burials, family relationships, etc.
[NOTE, Sep 2000: The CREAGERs & the PRUGHs were also associated with DAVID's CHURCH located on Far Hills Ave. (St. Rt. #48) South, in
Kettering, Montgomery Co., OH. There is a cemetery associated with this church also. Numerous PRUGHs are also buried at another cemetery, VanBuren Twp. Cemetery, off E. Dorothy Lane behind Kettering Town Shopping Center. Courtesy of: Harry EBELING)]
CREAGER CONGREGATION ORGANIZED SEPTEMBER 1844
Darke Co., OH
Information Below
Courtesy of:
Joyce Van Tassell of Darke Co., OH
Thank you, Joyce
Original Founding Members:
- Solomon CREAGER
- Maria CREAGER [Maria (MARTIN) CREAGER, wf/o Solomon]
- Thomas CREAGER
- Elizabeth CREAGER [possibly Elizabeth (LECKLIDER) CREAGER, wf/o Thomas]
- Daniel LECKLIDER
- Elizabeth LECKLIDER [possibly Elizabeth (GERHARDT) LECKLIDER, wife of Daniel]
MEMBER REPRESENTATIVES OF VARIOUS FAMILIES
CREAGER/KRIEGER Family:
- Solomon CREAGER, 1844
- Maria CREAGER, 1844
- Thomas CREAGER, 1844
- Elizabeth CREAGER, 1844
- Elder Solomon CRAGER, 1 Oct 1861
- Elizabeth CRAGER, 1 Oct 1861
- Mariah CREAGER, 1863
- Elizabeth CRAYER [sic...probably CREAGER], 1863
- Frances CREAYER [sic...probably CREAGER], 1863
- Solomon CREIGER, Organization 30 May 1875 of Reformed Church residing in the vicinity of New Harrison, Darke Co., OH
DUNHAM Family:
- Margt [Margaret Elizabeth SLONAKER] DUNHAM, [widow of James DUNHAM] on list of people who participated in electing and organizing officers for their church, May 30, 1875.
- Alice DUNHAM on list of people received into membership by baptism and confirmation Jan. 28, 1877.
- Nettie DUNHAM listed as giving $10.00 cornerstone subscription for the dedication, Sep. 28, 1919.
DUNN Family:
- Sally DUNN listed as a member in 1877,
- Members 1877, also John and Nancy DUNN.
- Mentions G. H. DUNN.
ESHLEMAN Family:
[SEE: ELIZABETH's ATTIC for ESHLEMAN connections]
[NOTE: Michael CREAGER m 1828 probably Montgomery Co., OH to Mary HOSIER & later removed to Darke Co., OH. Daughter Lucy CREAGER m 27 Dec 1855 Darke Co., OH (Mar. Rec. #959) to William Manning ESHLEMAN & had two sons, Sherman & Michael ESHLEMAN. (Source: The Creager History, by Irene CREAGER LAWSON, 1985-1986 & Info. from Joyce VAN TASSELL.)
- John ESHLEMAN was a deacon or some position in the church at East Zion, gg-gf/o Joyce VAN TASSELL.
- W. H. ESHLEMAN, 1919
HOFFERT/HOFFARTH Family:
[Johan Caspar KRIEGER b 1697; m 1728 Germany to Anna Christina HOFFERT
and they were the parents of the KRIEGER/CREAGER family in MD to OH & elsewhere.
These HOFFERTs are probably related.]
- Absalom HOFFERT , rec'd as a member by renewal, Jan. 28, 1877
- Nancy HOFFERT, wife of Absalom, same as Absalom
LECKLIDER/LEICHLEITER Family:
- Daniel LECKLIDER, 1844
- Elizabeth LECKLIDER, 1844 [possibly Elizabeth (GERHARDT) LECKLIDER, wife of Daniel]
- Jacob LECKLIDER, remaining member 1 Oct 1861
- Nancy LECKLIDER, remaining member 1 Oct 1861
- Elizabeth LECKLIDER, remaining member 1 Oct 1861
- Jacob LICKLIDER, member 1863
- Nancy LICKLIDER, member 1863
- Elizabeth LICKLIDER, member 1863
- Catharine LICKLIDER, rec'd 17 Feb 1866
- Lavina LICKLIDER, 23 Feb 1869 ('remove' written on right side.)
- J. C. LECKLIDER (hard to read), member during reorganization 30 May 1875
- Nancy LEKLIDER), member during reorganization 30 May 1875
- Francis LEKLIDER, renewal of membership, 6 Feb 1876
- Kate LICKLIDER feb 6 1876, register of members
- Francis LICKLEIDER baptized & confirmed 6 Feb 1876, register of members
- Ada LICKLIEIDER baptized & confirmed 6 Feb 1876, register of members
- Ruth LECKLIDER baptized & confirmed 28 Jan 1877
- Josiah E. LECKLIDER, 28 Jan 1877, "pro" (?Profession of faith) & confirmed
- Kate LECKLIDER died 31 Jul 1882, funeral services conducted by Rev. H. I. COMFORT. She was married several months only to a Mr. BROWN.
- Adda LECKLIDER marriage 1 Mar 1877 by Rev. D. R. TAYLOR to Mr. Charles P. BAIRD
- Chas. LECKLIDER, Feb 1919, honorary member of the building committee
- Charles LECKLIDER, $150, first subscriptions (donations to help with addition, 1919)
- Judd LECKLIDER, $100, first subscriptions (donations to help with addition, 1919)
- U. G. LECKLIDER, $50, first subscriptions (donations to help with addition, 1919)
- U. G. LECKLIDER & wife, $2, cornerstone subscriptions (donations to help with corner stone, 1919)
- Lucey LECKLIDER, $1, cornerstone subscriptions (donations to help with corner stone, 1919)
- Jacob & Nancy LECKLIDER, $38.22, donations for memorial windows
- U. G. LECKLIDER family, $38.22, family windows
- Lucy LECKLIDER, President, Young Ladies Class, 1919
- Chas. LECKLIDER, $500, forward movement subscription
- U. G. LECKLIDER, $100, forward movement subscription
SLONAKER Family:
- Mary Ellen SLONAKER, rec'd Feb. 17, 1866
- William Martin SLONAKER, infant baptized by Rev. Wm. MCAUGHEY, pastor, on 11 or 17 Feb 1866. Parents: David & Mary Ellen SLONAKER
- W. H. SLONAKER & Martha A., $45.25, memorial windows, 1919
WESTFALL Family:
- Mary Elizabeth WESTFALL, listed as member of the St. John's (Creager is crossed out here) Congregation of the German Reformed Church 1863
- Mary WESTFALL, listed as member of organized congregation, May 30, 1875
- Lizzie WESTFALL, received as member by Renewal, Jan. 28, 1877
- Jam.(James ) WESTFALL, received as member by baptism and confirmation, Jan. 28, 1877
- Emma WESTFALL, received as member by baptism and confirmation, Jan. 28, 1877.
INFANT BAPTISMS by Rev. Wm. MCAUGHEY, Pastor
Listing is Courtesy of:
Joyce Van Tassell of Darke Co., OH
1865 PARENTS CHILDREN
Feb 11 Adam & Mary J. Zimmerman Harvey Geo Zimmerman
" Daniel & Jane E. Palmer No name given
" Daniel & Jane E. Palmer No name given
" George & Kesiah Keefauver Jessie May Keefauver
" George & Kesiah Keefauver John clement Keefauver
" John & Magalen Vogt Amelia Vogt
1866
Feb 17? David & Mary Ellen Slonaker William Martin Slonaker
" Wm. W. C. & Sarah E. Johnson Mary Elizabeth Johnson
" Wm. W. C. & Sarah E. Johnson Alice Menervia Johnson
" Wm. W. C. & Sarah E. Johnson Charles Esaias Johnson
" Mary Jane Jarvis Alfraetta Lonama/Lavama/Lorama Jarvis
" Mary Jane Jarvis Susan Belle Jarvis
Deaths of members from Oct 8th 1864
Rev. I. Jesse Jarvis at Barnid Klefickrs [no date actually given here,
just the start of a list w/ only this name...Joyce]
INFANT BAPTISMS by Rev. J. STUCK
Feb 5 1862
Idia Elen Zimmerman b Aug. 30, 1859
Corer? [?Cora] Frances Zimmerman b Nov. 14, 1860
INFANT BAPTISMS
Keffauver, J. M.(or O. M.) Aug. 22, 1875 Rev. J. Stuck
Keffauver, G. A.(or J. A.) Aug. 22, 1875 Rev. J. Stuck
Miller, Levina E. Aug. 22, 1875 Rev. J. Stuck
Sentman, Huburt Feb. 6, 1876 Rev. R. B. Reichard
Cline, Ellen Feb. 6, 1876 Rev. R. B. Reichard
Mackley, Maud Jan. 28, 1877 Rev. D. R. Taylor
[NOTE: No parents names are given on this list.]
DEATHS
E. C. Bair died Jul. 16, 1879 age 50y 10m 28d
Funeral sermon by the Pastor Rev. Dingledine
Text: Ps 116 first part of 7 v.
"Return unto thy rest, O my soul,"
Kate Wise died June 16, 1881
Funeral sermon by the Rev. Dingledine
Kate Lecklider died July 31, 1882
Funeral services conducted by Rev. H. I. Comfort
She was married several months only to a Mr. Brown
MARRIAGES
1877
Mar. 1 Mr. Charles P. Baird to Miss Adda Lecklider
by Rev. D. R. Taylor
1878
March Elizabeth A. Eshlaman to John Stocker
1879
Feb. 25 Mathew Myers to Alice Miller
1879
Oct. 18 Samuel Hershey to Sadie A. Eliker
by Rev. J. Stuck, Woodington O.
Items below are from the keepsakes of my grandmother,
Sarah "Sally" Margaret (CREAGER) SHIELDS
(Pictured Above)
It is my wish to give full credit to Mrs. Delbert Boomershine as the author of this wonderful Church history. I wish to contact her or a representive member of her family. Does anyone have any information concerning Mrs. Delbert Boomershine? Audrey (MILLS/LEHMANN-CREAGER-SHIELDS) HANCOCK.
1858-1958
EAST
ZION
COMMUNITY
CHURCH
THE HISTORY OF THE EAST ZION COMMUNITY CHURCH
by Mrs. Delbert Boomershine
This year, 1958, East Zion Community Church celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the building of the Church on Zion Hill. Many people ask about the history of our Church; how did East Zion Community Church come into reality? What was the Church's beginning?
The East Zion congregation started in the year 1844, one hundred fourteen years ago, near Gettysburg, Ohio. The East Zion Congregation was originally known as the Creager congregation.
In the early 1840's, the Rev. Jacob Kercher, a young talented minister, visited Gettysburg. He preached the Gospel to members of the Reformed Church who had come from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland to settle in the fertile lands of Darke County, Ohio. It is thought that he continued to preach among the Reformed people for three or four years.
Picture Courtesy of:
Joyce Van Tassell of Darke Co., OH:
East Zion Community Reformed Church,
HISTORICAL
SKETCH,
by Rev. Albert S. GLESSNER, pp. 5-6
Issued Day of Dedication
Sunday, 24 Apr 1921.
Rev. Jacob Kercher was succeeded by Rev. Reuben Good, a keen young man with much foresight. He was a graduate of the Eastern Theological Seminary, and later became a professor in Heidelberg College, Tiffin, Ohio. He began his ministry in a systematic way by organizing the Creager congregation. This congregation consited of six members: Solomon Creager, Maria Creager, Thomas Creager, Elizabeth Creager, Daniel Lecklider, and Elizabeth Lecklider. On that same day Thomas Creager was elected elder, Solomon Creager and Daniel Lecklider were elected deacons. A congregation must have a place to worship, so in the year 1844-1845, the Creager Church was built South of New Harrison, down by the Greenville Creek. This Church was eventually moved and now is a dwelling on Route 36, being the second house East of the Bears Mill-Arcanum crossing, on the right side of the road. Rev. Good remained until the year 1847, and at this time, he resigned.
Rev. Colliflower was chosen to be his successor, who served as Pastor until the 12th of April, 1852. At the close of this pastorate, the Creager congregation was without a minister for probably a year or more.
Rev. J. M. Lefever accepted the call in 1855 to minister to the Creager congregation. He served until 1858. With Rev. Lefever leaving, the Creager congregation was without Church services. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Rev. Stuck became Pastor of the Charge and ministered to the Creager Congregation until the summer of 1864.
Early in the year 1864, a committee of Rev. T. P. Bucher, Rev. M. Wittenweiler and Rev. P. C. Prugh, met with the Pastor and officers of the Creager and Beamsville congregation, with the intentions of constituting a new charge to be called the Beamsville Charge, with the organization to meet in the Village of Greensville. At this point we stop and ponder. History does repeat itself. To think, almost a hundred years from this time, the East Zion congregation (formerly Creager congregation) and the Beamsville Congregation are closely connected by being ministered to by the same Pastor.
A congregation was organized in Greenville on September 19, 1864 and was called St. Paul's congregation. Rev. Wm. McCaughey became the Pastor of the new congregation and also preached regularly at the Creager congregation and frequently held services in the school house near Bears Mill.
In the year, 1874, Rev. D. R. Taylor became the Pastor and ministered until 1877. During Rev. Taylor's pastorate, on May 30, 1875, the congregation was re-organized. The reason is not known. John Eshleman and Wm. Burkett were elected elders. G. W. Stewart and E. Miller were elected Deacons.
Samuel Hershey was elected clerk. The total membership of the reorganized congregation consisted of eight males and eight females. The named adopted was the "Creager congregation of the Reformed Church in the U.S.". It was during this pastorate that the Creager congregation had its largest membership, the enrollment being sixty eight.
The next Pastorate was that of Rev. J. E. Dingledine, which began and continued until 1881. Rev. Dingledine was succeeded by Rev. H. I. Comfort who served the charge only one year.
In 1883 Rev. J. Stuck became Pastor for the second time and served for a period of six years. At the beginning of Rev. Stuck's ministry the second time, the home and name of the Creager congregation was changed. In June, 1883 the name "Creager" was changed to "Zion Reformed Church of Greenville Township, Darke County, Ohio." The first steps were taken to negotiate with the Lutheran Synod for the "Klefeker" brick Church. Sometime during the summer of 1883, the title to the Klefeker Church was transferred to the trustees of the Zion Reformed congregation. The sume of $650.00 was paid for the Klefeker Church.
Picture Courtesy of:
Joyce Van Tassell of Darke Co., OH:
East Zion Community Reformed Church,
HISTORICAL
SKETCH,
by Rev. Albert S. GLESSNER, pp. 5-6
Issued Day of Dedication
Sunday, 24 Apr 1921.
This old brick Church, which became the home of the East Zion congregation was erected in the year 1858-59. It was known as the Klefeker Church because Rev. Alexander Klefeker donated the lot on which the Church was built and contributed the major portion of the money to build and complete the Church. The Klefeker Church served as a worship place for East Zion congregation for sixty years almost to the day.
Darke County, Ohio Recorder's Office
Volume L-2, Page 373
Alex Klefeker to Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church - Dated 6-27-1860
Trustees, Abdel Slanaker [See: SLONAKER Family below], John Westfall and Samuel Bear
81 square rods on pike (Route 36 & Willis Road)
Section 32, Township 10, Range 3 East.
Witnesses: Sarah Schrenick Signed: Alexander Klefeker
John A. Corbin Anna Klefeker, his wife
Information Courtesy of:
Jan Abbott
as shared via the Internet, 1 Sep 2001, with ASH
Jan adds, "Anna Bear Klefeker was a sister to my gr-grandmother, Magdalena Bear Hershey (wife of Emanuel Hershey). My gr-grandfather was marvelous about making all kinds of notes and journals and I am fortunate to have several of them."
Thank you, Jan.
|
In this House of Worship East Zion Congregation were served by the following Pastors:
J. Stuck..................................1883-1889
R. R. Lachey..............................1890-1891
H. S. Hart................................1891-1893
D. R. Taylor..............................1894-1896
S. U. Snyder..............................1897-1899
F. M. Shultz..............................1899-1904
D. S. Miller..............................1905-1906
D. E. Tobias..............................1911-1913
S. V. Rohrbaugh...........................1913-1916
Albert S. Glessner........................1916-
At a special meeting, held February 27, 1919, it was unanimously voted by the East Zion congregation and community to remodel and build an addition to the Church. So the work was started - a basement was to be dug under the Church. It so happened that in May, 1919, the men were working on the Church had either gone home to dinner or to plant potatoes and corn, when the Old Brick Church groaned and collapsed, never more to serve as a dwelling place for the Spirit of God. The East Zion congregation worshipped in the Concord Grange Hall until the new Church was completed. The cornerstone to the new Church was laid on September 28, 1919. The building committee consisted of:
Rev. Albert Glessner........President
J. H. Norris................Secretary
W. H. Eshleman..............Treasurer
L. E. Strobel...............Builder
A. C. Stocker
Ed. Irwin
Martin Cook
I. Keefauver
Chas. Lecklider.............Honorary members
Bricks from the old Klefeker Church and the Concord Church helped to build the present East Zion Church. The Church was built at the cost of between $17,000 and $18,000. The East Zion Church was dedicated April 21, 1921.
Picture Courtesy of:
Joyce Van Tassell of Darke Co., OH:
East Zion Community Reformed Church,
HISTORICAL
SKETCH,
by Rev. Albert S. GLESSNER, pp. 5-6
Issued Day of Dedication
Sunday, 24 Apr 1921.
On the day of dedication, the congregation was short of $1500 to pay for the Church. The Church was built from the members and the community which took a period of two years to collect. Rev. Albert S. Glessner served as Pastor during this period, 1916 until March 1, 1922. During this time East Zion was connected with the Hillgrove Church until February, 1922. During the years that Rev. Glessner served as Pastor, the membership was the largest in the history of the Church. The Church membership was 120. The Sunday School enrollment was 250. The Christian Endeavor enrollment was 95 and was the largest Young People's society in Darke County.
From the year 1922 to August 1, 1927, student ministers Pastored the East Zion Charge. On August 1, 1927 the Rev. H. S. Hart accepted the pastorate of the East Zion Church. At this time we were connected with the West Zion Reformed Church. During the pastorate of Rev. Hart, East Zion was blessed with an orchestra under the leadership of Mr. Hopkins. Rev. Hart served the East Zion congregation until October 10, 1931.
Rev. Edgar V. Loucks, minister of St. Paul's Reformed Church in Greenville, held services every Sunday morning from the year 1932 thru 1939. His ministry touched our lives in many ways, through dedication, marriage, or death. From May, 1940 until October, 1941 Rev. Charles T. Myers served as pastor of East Zion congregation.
In October 1941, a mere high school lad heard and accepted the call of God to be a Minister. He was Keith Bailey, the boy across the road from East Zion Church. It was in the pulpit of East Zion that Keith began his ministry. East Zion is very proud to have played a part in Keith's life. Keith now is a missionary to the American Indians in Minnesota. Keith left us in September, 1943.
From September, 1943, until November 1945, Rev. Herman Peffley was Pastor of the East Zion Church. East Zion holds very dear to their hearts the memory of this saint of God who has passed on to his reward.
During the years between November 1945 and April 1947, we were without a pastor. In April 1947, Rev. Roger Clevenger, a student at Taylor University, Upland, Indiana, accepted the pastorate of the East Zion congregation. East Zion as a Reformed Church ceased to exist. Re-organization of the East Zion Church took place during the year 1947. A letter of dismissal was received from the Reformed Synod releasing East Zion from their charge. The East Zion congregation was accepted into the Eastern Indiana Association of Congregational Christian Churches. So East Zion was now a Congregational Christian Church; wtih new by-laws being instituted. The name of the Church was to be the "East Zion Community Church." The Rev. Roger Clevenger asked for his release in August, 1949.
In December, 1949 Rev. Fred Luthy, a student at Taylor University, Upland, Indiana, accepted the Pastorate of the East Zion Community Church. During Rev. Luthy's pastorate, the Church received a new face. In September 1952 a medium rough white stucco was put over the bricks in order to stop moisture from coming through the walls of the Church. We are now known as the beautiful white Church built on a hill. At the end of May 1953, Rev. Fred Luthy accepted the full time ministry of the Philipsburg Church. Rev. Luthy is now a Professor at Taylor University.
After the resignation of Rev. Luthy, East Zion joined with the Beamsville Congregational Christian Church in calling a full time minister. Rev. Raymond Gillis accepted the pastorate of these Churches in October, 1953. At the beginning of the year, 1954, the interior of the East Zion Church was to undergo a change. The old salt bricks from the Concord and Klefeker Churches used in building the present East Zion Church, were causing the plaster to crack and crumble.
An air space between the brick organ wall and plaster was built in, with new plaster and paint being applied. At the completion of the redecoration, an electric Hammond Spinet organ was presented to East Zion in memory of J. H. Norris, by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hartzell and the Norris family.
In 1957, during the merger between Congregational Christian and Evangelical and Reformed Churches, East Zion Community Church was the first Church to withdraw from the Eastern Indiana Association of Congregational Christian Churches, with 36 other churches, who had also withdrawn from the Eastern Indiana Association, a Conservative Congregational Christian Fellowship was formed, of which East Zion Community Church is a charter member. Rev. Raymond Gillis resigned in June, 1958 to accept a pastorate in the state of Maine.
In October, 1958, Rev. Harry Aufiero accepted the pastorate of the East Zion Community Church. The present membership is 77. Sunday School enrollment is 125. The membership of East Zion Community Church is made up of people of various backgrounds and faiths. It is said thatwe have as high as nine denominations represented in our congregation. East Zion Community Church is a growing Church, where the true Gospel of Jesus Christ is preached and taught. On this one hundredth anniversary honoring the first Church, the "Klefeker," Zion Community Church continues to be a lighthouse, throwing out the light of God to those in the community. May the East Zion Community Church continue to prosper in the future as it has in the past, and may it be an instrument in the hands of God to point many a weary wanderer to the Pearly Gates of teh Celestial Abode - Zion, the City of God.
Come, we that love the Lord,
And let our joys be known,
Join in a song with sweet accord,
Join in a song with sweet accord,
and thus surround the throne,
and thus surround the throne.
We're marching to Zion,
Beautiful, beautiful Zion,
We're marching upward to Zion,
The beautiful city of God.
Courtesy of: Audrey (Mills-Lehmann/Creager-Shields) Hancock
from the Collection of my grandmother, Sarah Margaret (Slonaker-Dunham/Prugh-Creager) Shields
Unknown Newspaper Publication
Courtesy of: Audrey (Mills-Lehmann/Creager-Shields) Hancock
from the Collection of my grandmother, Sarah Margaret (Slonaker-Dunham/Prugh-Creager) Shields
Commemorative Church Bulletin
CONTRIBUTIONS from OTHERS
KRIEGER/CREAGER Family
- Hans Ernst KRIEGER of Klein Gartach, Germany m #3 Christiana WERNER of Germany
- Johann/John Caspar/Casper KRIEGER/KRUGER/CREAGER m Anna Christina HOFFERT/HOFFART(H) from Germany to PA
- Adam CREAGER from PA to MD m Christina HUFFORD of MD
- Christian CREAGER m Anna Mary WOOLF/WOLF from MD to Montgomery Co., OH
- John Carl CREAGER m Sarah "Sally" PRUGH
- Gideon Winfield CREAGER m Mary Jane DUNHAM, pictured above
- Sarah Margaret CREAGER m Raymond Dale SHIELDS, pictured above
- Dale Caleb SHIELDS m Rita Marie LEHMANN
GOTTSCHALL Family
- Johann David GOTTSCHALL b 25 Oct 1791 Lancaster Co., PA; m 20 Nov 1811 to Anna McANNELLY; d 14 Nov 1868 Adams Twp., Darke Co., OH; bur East Zion Cemetery. His wife, Anna McANNELLY, b Lancaster Co., PA; d 25 May 1859 Darke Co., OH. Burial place of Anna unconfirmed at this time.
(Source: Internet, 23 Sep 2000, E-mail to ASH: Marilyn (WRIGHT) SHIELDS of Springfield, OH)
- Jacob GOTTSCHALL b 22 Mar 1831 Lancaster, PA; m 15 Sep 1851 to Feannah Sophia MARTZALL; d 2 Oct 1906 Darke Co., OH; bur East Zion Cemetery. Feannah Sophia Martzall, b 6 Mar 1827 Lancaster Co., PA; d 10 Feb 1902 Darke Co., OH; & bur East Zion cemetery. "Jacob had quite an obituary in the Democratic Advocate when he died. It listed many of the fraternal organizations he belonged to and stated that he was a farmer and also 'operated a blacksmith shop in the vicinity of Gettysburg for many years.'"
(Source: Internet, 23 Sep 2000, E-mail to ASH: Marilyn (WRIGHT) SHIELDS of Springfield, OH)
- Mary GOTTSCHALL m Harry ZIMMERMAN.
- David F. GOTTSCHALL b 10 Sep 1855 Gettysburg, Adams Twp., Darke Co., OH; m 12 Jan 1876 Adams Twp., Darke Co., OH by P. B. MILLER to Melissa Ella RUDY; & d 5 May 1938. Melissa, dau/o Isaac RUDY & Mary Ann CREAGER, b 10 Jun 1855 & d 9 Mar 1940. Both David & Melissa are buried at East Zion Community Church.
(Source: Internet, 23 Sep 2000, E-mail to ASH: Marilyn (WRIGHT) SHIELDS of Springfield, OH)
SLONAKER/SCHLONECKER Family
- Possibly George Adam SCHLONECKER/SLONAKER & Elizabeth WELSH/WELCH
- Abdiel/Abdel SLONAKER of Littleton, PA m Margaret ??? of PA
- Margaret Elizabeth SLONAKER m James DUNHAM, Jr. (died at Andersonville, GA Prison/Civil War)
- Mary Jane DUNHAM m Gideon Winfield CREAGER, pictured above
- Sarah Margaret CREAGER m Raymond Dale SHIELDS, pictured above
- Dale Caleb SHIELDS m Rita Marie LEHMANN
Courtesy of: Audrey (Shields) Hancock
2006
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Webpage by: Audrey (Shields) Hancock of Portage, Michigan
Created: 16 September 2000
Revised: 28 July 2006
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