SUNDAY FUNDAY!
Sunday, July 30
 |
| Bernville Road into Robesonia |
Bern Reformed United Church of Christ, 3196 Bernville Road, Leesport PA
 |
| Painting of Bern Church Hanging in the Entry Hall |
Sunday was the last full day of our stay in Pennsylvania, so we were up early and ready to pack as many activities as possible into our last hurrah in Berks County. I suggested that we attend services at Bern Reformed United Church of Christ because of our many family ties to the congregation. Some of our Hiester, Reber, and Lieb ancestors were life-long members of this church and are buried in the adjoining graveyard. The church was a quick ten-minute drive from our hotel.
 |
| Bern Church Sanctuary |
We had seen the exterior of the church several times as we explored the county on both of our trips to the area, but we had not been inside before today. Bern Church was founded in 1736 and baptism records were kept since that early date. Our fifth great-grandfather, Johann Jost Hiester, was a trustee in 1762 when the church lot was enlarged with land purchased from his brother Daniel. A log meeting house and another stone structure was built on the same lot before the present brick church was built in 1837. Conrad Reber, the second husband of my third great-grandmother, Catherine Lerch Lieb, was on the building committee. The structure has subsequently been enlarged and modernized several times, although the interior retains the simple beauty of rich, dark wood pews, balcony, altar, pulpit, stairs and doors in the sanctuary. The incredible stained-glass windows at every turn bear brilliant images reflecting scriptures and portraits of Martin Luther and Ulrich Zwingli, founders of the Lutheran and Reformed Church doctrines.
 |
| Heister, Kershner and Lieb Family Names on a Church Plaque |
We arrived several minutes before
the 9:30 am worship time and were greeted in the spacious entry area by
friendly faces from the membership. Barbara Reed was especially warm and
welcoming to us. After explaining our ties to Bern, she graciously gave her
contact information to me in case I ever had questions about the church or
cemetery.
The sound of the organ prelude soon
signaled the start of the service and we joined the others who were making
their way into the sanctuary. Inspirational music, scriptures, prayers and a sermon
based on five of Jesus’ parables regarding faith followed and provided a great
start to our day. When the service was finished, we took the time to compliment
and thank the organist and pianist for the lovely music and Rev. Jim Roth for
his words of wisdom.
 |
| A Sample of the Stained-Glass Windows in Bern Church |
 |
| The Rich Dark Wood Pews, Balcony, Stairs and Doors in the Sanctuary |
 |
| The Wine Glass Pulpit is Enormous! |
There was social time with refreshments after church, but LaRita and I used the time to examine and admire the beauty inside the worship space. There were several displays of artifacts from the early history of the church and even the wooden doors had decorative panels and cutout shapes in them. The windows include memorials and dedications to a “who’s who” of families in the church and were interesting to read. As we were making our way out of the church, Rev. Roth approached us and handed a copy of A History of Bern Reformed Church to each of us! The pretty little hardbound book is a history of the church and contains baptism records from 1736 to 1985 and many interesting stories about the church and community. What a wonderful and unexpected gift!
Tulpehocken Settlement Historical Society, 116 North Front Street, Womelsdorf PA
We had driven by Plum Creek Creamery just down the road several times and decided to go there for lunch. However, we were sorely disappointed that it was closed on Sunday, and we had to settle for Panera salads. We spent a little time at our hotel before deciding to explore the Tulpehocken Settlement Historical Society Library and then return to Hain’s Church before our dinner plans at 5:30. We took the scenic route to Womelsdorf from Reading on Brownsville and Bernville Roads and enjoyed the gorgeous countryside. We entered Robesonia on my favorite stretch of highway where an enchanting arch of lofty, evenly spaced trees line the roadway, creating a momentary living tunnel for travelers. So lovely!
The Tulpehocken Library is
well-stocked with Berks treasures, and we were glad to see Steve, the librarian,
whom we had met in 2021. I asked if he had a copy of the new Hain’s Cemetery
directory and he found it in his computer, but it had not been printed and
bound yet. He printed it and said, “No charge” when I asked what I owed. (I
left a donation!) I looked through the directory and made note of the locations
of a couple of other graves we wanted to find after the library closed. Then
LaRita and I browsed the collection for items of interest.
Our cousin John Grimes, who
frequently volunteers at the library, soon arrived and we exchanged a few words
while we each continued our tasks at hand. I was busy looking at a Berks land
records book when I noticed someone come through the door. It was my cousin
Pernell from Annapolis! I think I startled him when I squealed and rushed over.
We had not met in person but had corresponded for a few months and also took a
Pennsylvania Dutch language Zoom class together. He drove 2½ hours to have
dinner with us and some other cousins and had arrived early, so came to the
library. We chatted a bit and looked at the shelves which contained books for
sale or items that were free for the taking.
Four o’clock came too soon and we
each went our separate ways before our scheduled dinner a bit later. LaRita and
I went to Boyer’s Market to buy Dieffenbach potato chips and some locally made
pretzels to take home with us. We then drove to Wernersville and found the
grave of our fifth great-grandmother, Margaretha Elizabetha Lerch. We snapped
some photos with her and my third great-grandfather Thomas Werner’s grave
markers.
 |
| My Third Great-Grandfather Thomas Werner |
 |
| My Fifth Great-Grandmother Margretha Elizabetha Lerch |
Cousin’s Delightful Dinner!
Heidelberg Family Restaurant,
910 West Penn Avenue, Robesonia PA
I contacted three distant cousins
in the Berks County area, and cousin Pernell from nearby Maryland, a few months earlier
to see if they would like to have dinner with LaRita and me while we were in the
area. Luckily, everyone was able to meet on the last evening of our stay. We
arrived first and were seated at a round table that was perfect for
conversation. Pernell, John, Brad Smith and Jim Beidler soon joined us. What a
stellar group of guys! I had not met Pernell, Brad or Jim in person before
today, but recognized them from their little “Zoom squares” from shared virtual
meetings. Brad taught Pernell and my beginner’s Dutch (German) classes and Jim
frequently presents online lectures on a variety of genealogy research topics.
All six of us are descendants of Johann Michael and Elizabetha Catharina Lauck
Schauer through one of their children and we are also cousins with each other
through several other combinations of ancestors.
We had a fabulous time discussing
our connections, telling stories, and enjoying our shared Pennsylvania German
heritage. The food was pretty good, too! After lots of laughter, hugs, and a
couple of tears, it was all too soon time to part company.
 |
| My Four Favorite Dutch Guys! Jim, Brad, John, Me and Pernell at Heidelberg Family Restaurant |
NEXT - HOMEWARD BOUND
No comments:
Post a Comment