Bob, I don't know if this is relative to the discussion, but Benjamin Schrecengost
was my gggg grandfather. His father in law Christopher Oury was a distiller in Kittanning area and he provided the land upon which Christ Rupp Lutheran Church was built. Frantz Rupp was a founding member of the church. Benjamin and his family were founding members of the
church. I'm pasting some church info below that refers to Christopher Uhrig which was the original german spelling before it was changed to Oury. Christ Rupp Lutheran Church is the oldest church in rural Armstrong County.
"In 1786, Frantz Rupp and his brother-in-law Christopher Uhrig, took up a large tract of land in Kittanning Township for the purpose of building a church. It was in this field that the Rupp settlement gathered for worship. On a portion of this land, in 1786, a cemetery was laid out. It was in this cemetery portion that a log cabin building known as the "German Meeting House" was built in 1796. This was undoubtedly the first Lutheran Church built within the confines of Armstrong County"
Benjamin SGost's grandfather Johann Jost Shreckengast served under Capt
John Moll in the Northumberland Militia according to Historian Gary Schreckengost.
Conrad Schrecengost was Benjamin's father and brother to Heinrich Schrecengost
who was the grandfather of gunmaker William G. The Schrecengosts were also
intermarried with the Truby and Zartman gunsmiths. Benjamin's mother was a Zartman and Michael Truby married one of the Schrecengost girls. Michael was son of Jacob Truby, both were gunsmiths.
More church info here
CHRIST EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
KITTANNING TOWNSHIP
ARMSTRONG COUNTY
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About the year 1760, the widow of Ulrich Rupp with her two children, Franz and Christina, emigrated from Germany to America.
After a residence of twelve years in Leigh County, Franz and Christina (now wife of Christopher Uhrig) were found among the pioneers of Westmoreland near Greensburgh.
In 1774 the name of "Frantz Raupp" and "Stofel Uhrig" are found attacted to the historic Fort Allen petition, asking for more adequate protection against the Indians.
Two years later Franz enlisted in the American army, serving in the Fort Pitt garrison until the close of the war. In company with Christopher Uhrig he took up a large tract of land in Kittanning Township in the year 1786.
On a portion of this land patended by Christopher Uhrig, July 31, 1786, a cemetery was laid out; and in this cemetery a log building, know as the "German Meeting House", was built in 1796.
This was undoubtedly the first Lutheran Church built within the confinds of Armstrong County.
The first service in this log church was conducted by Rev. John M. Steck, who deeply interested in this undertaking of his two former parishioners.
From 1796 to 1813, this pastor made annual visits to the Rupp settlement and ministered to the people in the word and sacraments.
The deed for this land was formally executed, June 15, 1814, when Christopher Oury and his wife, for a consideration of $100, conveyed a plot of five and a quarter acers to George Williams and Henry Schrecongost (Henry is Heinrich, grandfather of gunsmith William G. Shreckengost) , acting trustees for the German Meeting House.
Franz Rupp died, December 28, 1817, and his body was laid to rest in the cemetery of the church that has born his name to the present day.
Other men prominent in the early history of the church were:
Conrad Schrecongost
Peter Heilman
Daniel Heilman
Martin Blose
Adam Ohlinger
Daniel Bautsch
David Fitzgerald
George Wiiliams
It was organized as a union church, in which Reformed and Lutheran had an equal share; but te Lutheran element was much stronger, and the Reformed families were absorbed at an early date.
In 1813 they were visited by Rev. John Gottfried Lamprecht, who served as their pastor fo two years. A second and better log church was built during his ministry.
In 1817 the congregation joined with three others in petitioning Ministerium of Pennsylvania for a pastor, and Rev. John Adam Mohler served them from 1817 to 1823.
Rev. David Earhart says of him:
" Though his preaching was fair and his musical talent such that he frequently taugh singing school, it was commonly reported that, because of improper conduct, h lost the confidence of the people and then his charge also.
" He afterwards preached for the Methodists in the state of Indiana."
Rev. Karl M. Zeilfels, a man of similar character, preached for them during the years 1824 and 1824.
It was said that he collected a considerable sum for the church, put the money in his own pocket and left the community. Very little is know of his later life, except that he became a pastor of some independent church in Ohio.
The next pastor was Rev. Gabriel Adam Reichart , a thorough German, a true Lutheran and a man of God.
His private diary indicates that he became a pastor of congregation, October 14, 1825.
For some time previous to this, he was pastor of neighboring churches, and able to preach occasionally at Rupp's.
From October 14, 1825, to December 25, 1837, he served them rergularly ever four weeks, preaching in German, except for a little Englsh sermon during the last four years of his pastorate.
In his private diary he always refers to this church as "Williams", probably because he sometimes preached at the home of George Williams Sr.
In 1830 Konrad Schrecongost and George Wild were the elders, and George Forster and John Krevener the deacons.
From 1829 to 1934, he administered the sacraments of the altar to the following persons in this church:
