The Organization of the Congregation in the Early Lutheran Churches in America | Page 3

on the 1st of May; 5.) To provide
the pay for the sexton, etc."
This whole arrangement bears a close resemblance to that of the Dutch
Lutheran Churches, and is virtually that found in the German Churches
in Pennsylvania when Muehlenberg came. The Church Council
consisted of the minister, the councilmen and wardens. These lay
officers served for a fixed time, and were installed in their offices; but,
unfortunately, it cannot be learned from this account in what manner
they were chosen. The above arrangement continued in force until, in
1765, Provost Wrangel prepared a new constitution and secured a
charter. In the new instrument the officers of the congregation are
styled Rector, Church Wardens and Vestrymen, after the Anglican style.
This constitution was wrought out by Wrangel in conference with
Muehlenberg, and the mode of selection of officers is almost precisely
the same as in the German Constitution of 1762: twice the number are
nominated by those in office, and the election is by a majority of votes
of the congregation.
The Swedish congregation at Philadelphia, as well as those at
Morlatton and Merion to a less extent, undoubtedly exercised a marked
influence on the German Lutheran congregations. It was well organized
long before establishment of the first German Lutheran congregation in
America. The pastor of the Wicaco Church from 1677 to 1693,
Fabritius, was a German, and cared for such German Lutherans as
settled near the city. Rudman, who succeeded him, showed his interest
in the Germans by bringing Falckner into the ministry, and his
successor, Sandel, united with him in this act. Rudman preached in

Dutch, and may have also understood German. The first regular
ministrant to the German congregation at Philadelphia was the Swede,
John Eneberg, and it is probable that it was organized by him. Pastor
Dylander held service for the Germans regularly in the Wicaco Church,
and Muehlenberg's services were held there mainly until the erection of
St. Michael's. The Swedish ministers met with the Germans in the
earlier meetings of the ministerium. The relations between Provost
Wrangel and Muehlenberg were of the most intimate nature; they
labored together as brothers in the superintendence of the congregations
under their care, and finally when Muehlenberg was working out the
enduring constitution of the German Church, Wrangel wrought out that
of the Swedish Church. The German Church constitution was prepared
with the co-operation of Wrangel, and he attended the meeting of the
congregation at which it was accepted, and made an address. From the
earliest times to the completion of the final constitution, the influence
of the Swedish organization was strongly felt.
2. The Reformed Churches in Pennsylvania. The Dutch Reformed
congregations at Bensalem and Neshaminy in Bucks County and at
Whitemarsh, Montgomery County, were the earliest Reformed
Churches in Pennsylvania, and antedate all the German Lutheran
congregations except that at New Hanover. These Churches were
organized in 1710 by Domine Paulus Van Vlecq, and in each of them a
senior and a senior elder and deacon were elected to serve for two years.
The senior went out of office annually, and the junior became senior,
while the newly-elected officer became the junior. The mode of
election is not entirely clear. The record simply says at Bensalem: "The
Church Council, both Elders and Deacons, of Sammeny and Bensalem,
were installed (bevestight) by Dom. Van Vlecq May 21, 1710," the day
after that given for the organization. They may have been elected the
previous day. At White Marsh the record says: "The church at Wytmess
was organized June 4, 1710, the same day the Church Council there
was installed." The record of the Dutch Reformed Church at Six Mile
Run, near New Brunswick, N. J., organized November 15, 1710, says:
"The Church Council was elected Nov. 15, and after having been
announced three times, was installed." At the next election it is said:
"Anno 1711, Oct. 23, the Church Council was elected, and after having

been three times announced without objection made, they were
installed Oct. 24," on which date also the treasurer presented his
account. There must have been several services on those two days, at
each of which the names of those elected were published. It does not
appear in what manner the choice was made. They may have been
selected by those in office, and when no objection was made after
publication, the consent of the congregation was supposed to be given,
or they may have been chosen by vote of the congregation. I am
assured by Dr. Talbot W. Chambers, of the Collegiate Church in New
York, that both of these modes are and have long been usual in the
Reformed Churches, and that in the old mother congregation at New
York, now enlarged to be the Collegiate Church, the former mode of
selection has