Memorial Day Service at Historic Keller Church in Catherine

The historic Keller Church located in Catharine Township, Williamsburg opened its doors on Saturday, May 25 for their second annual Memorial Day Celebration of History and Music. The Rev. David Donnelly, who is President of the church’s Board of Trustees, presided over the service.

History

The Keller Church, as it stands today, has been part of the community since its inception in 1846.

The church’s beginnings have it dated all the way back to 1786 when predominantly German immigrants settled around the Water Street, Sinking Valley, and Alexandria area.

In those times, those immigrants were mainly of Lutheran or Reformed backgrounds, and typically, missionaries would conduct worship services in either homes or barns.

The church had a variety of pastors leading up to the building of the still standing church today – those pastors included Rev. Frederick Haas, Rev John Dietrich Aurandt, and Rev. John George Schmuck. However, it was decided, even in those times of the mid 1800s, that a permanent home for a church needed to be built.

The structure’s foundation was that of what remains of Fort Lowry. The fort was built in 1778-1779 to house and shelter settlers from attacks. One of the more famous massacres that occurred there was that of the Dean family – resulting in the death of Matthew Dean’s wife and three children.

In 1846, a contract for construction was made in the amount of $800 and the land was purchased for $10. The cornerstone of the church was laid on August 11, 1846 – and much of the building is still intact.

The pulpit is homemade, and there are two entry doors – one for men, and one for women. The Keller Church, as it was so aptly named after the original property owner, John Keller, became a keystone in the community – a Sunday School program, Ladies Missionary Society, and a library all called Keller home.

In 1897, there were eight trees placed around and near the church to remember the eight pastors who preached there. Unfortunately, those trees are no longer there. The final service for Keller was conducted on Sunday, October 24, 1926. Since then, a board of trustees was established to keep the church’s memory alive and preserve the grounds.

The Service

Rev. David Donnelly and his family graced the service with their special music choices; Donnelly and his wife Jennifer have eight children – seven daughters and one son, most of whom were in attendance for the special music.

Pastor Ken Downs, who retired from the Mount Pleasant United Church of Christ, Martinsburg, was the keynote speaker. Downs, a self-proclaimed “old time preacher,” said he was extremely thankful “to live in this country, that I still have the freedom to go to a church and worship.”

Downs said that his father was a World War II veteran, who, when Downs was nine years old, was taken to a Veterans’ hospital. Downs didn’t see his father again until he was sixteen years old.

However, the pressures of war got to his father and his father committed suicide. Downs was the one to find his father.

Downs went to his first revival service when he was 18 years old. Around that time, a schoolteacher told him, “you need God.” Downs said he went to the seminary and that was fifty three years ago.

Downs wanted those in attendance to know that for these men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice, whether in war or back home, “they did not die alone, God was with them.”

85-year-old Cora Owens, who sang at last year’s celebration, again graced the crowd with her story and song; Owens sang the hymn, “Lift Him Up.” Rev. Donnelly then gave an update on the projects the church currently is working on, “a lot of work that needs to be done,” he told those in attendance. One of the major projects is redoing the hand-blown glass windows and the shutters, which ultimately will cost an estimated $4,000-5,000. “We want to preserve this place for many years to come,” Donnelly said.

He then gave a history lesson on Private Earl Ross, a World War I veteran, who has a grave marker at the church, along with his parents, Phillip and Joanna Ross. Ross attended the Keller Church from 1912-1918 but was called into service via the draft at age 23 and headed to France near the end of the War.

Ross was transferred to the Infantry, which fought some of the worst trench battles in World War I. Ross was slated to return home from France in late 1918 but developed a head cold which turned into influenza.

Donnelly then began telling the story of American evangelist and music director Homer Rodeheaver, who was the song leader for one of the most notable evangelists, Billy Sunday.

Rodeheaver took a leave of absence to volunteer in France to help with the war efforts. When he got to France, most of the soldiers and infantrymen wanted to hear from Rodeheaver’s trombone and he presented the gospel to troops and boosted morale. Rodeheaver was on the same ship that Private Ross was on back to the states.

Despite fighting in some of the worst battles in World War I and coming out virtually unharmed, Ross’ condition grew worse on the ship and he passed away from pneumonia. He was buried at sea. Rodeheaver played the trombone at Ross’ funeral on the ship. Although Ross is buried at sea, on the gravestone of Ross’ parents, you can find an E and B in the corners to commemorate Ross’ life.

Donnelly made mention of those who served in different wars who are buried at Keller; Revolutionary War: Christian Harnish, John Keller, Michael Keller and Thomas Whittaker; Civil War: Joseph Detwiler, John Donnelly, John S. Downing, Samuel Harnish, William B. Keller, and William Patterson; World War I: Ralph P. Anderson, S. Arthur England, Franklin Keller, Earl Ross and Frank Tussey; World War II: David Bennett, John C. Ginter, and Richard Tussey and for the U.S. Air Force: Darrick Banks.

The next scheduled Keller Church celebration is slated for the first Sunday in August, August 4th for a historical church service of how church was back in Keller’s peak.