ST. JOHN'S (BEALOR'S) CHURCH

"In the beginning of the present century [1800s] a number of Lutheran families settled in Juniata Township, as the Beistleins, Smiths, Lenigs, Swartzs, Crists, Burrels, and others.  Most of these attended preaching at Bloomfield, and some few at Loysville, the distance of six to twelve miles.  After the erection of St. Andrew's (Shuman's) Church in 1831, most of them worshipped there, and the rest at Bloomfield.  All however were deeply impressed with the urgent necessity of having the Gospel preached in their midst.  Hence, in 1839, Rev. John William Heim, commenced to preach for them occasionally in the school-house on the hill near Bosserman's mill, now near Markelville.  At the same time a Sunday-school was also started and held at this school-house.  These visits of Father Heim convinced the members more than ever of the necessity and advantage of having among them the stated ministrations of the Gospel and of a suitable house of worship.  The attendance at the school-house was very encouraging.  Measures were then taken to erect, as soon as practicable, a house of worship conjointly with a sister denomination.1

By the next year, congregations must have organized. The early records of both became lost or destroyed. On Aug. 7, 1840. a deed was given, by Mark Boehler (Bealor) and wife, to Philip Myers, Samuel Lupfer and William Bosserman, for two and one-half perches [over 1/2 acre] for the consideration of one dollar.  Lupfer and Bosserman were "Trustees of a religious society, ...composed of Lutherans and Presbyterians, united now, about erecting themselves into a congregation".2

They erected a union church the same year. This church was sometimes known as Bealor's Church. The corner stone was laid in October 1840, and en edifice was erected. It was a log building 30x35 feet in size, had high galleries on three sides, supported by heavy posts and crossbeams, a high pulpit and high seats. 3

Rev. Heim composed a church constitution in the German language. In it he wrote: "Our church, called -------, erected on the ground given for the purpose by Marcus Bealor, containing eighty-two rods, situate in Juniata Township, Perry County, and State of Pennsylvania, is and shall always remain a Union church for the use of the two religious denominations, namely, the Evangelical Lutheran and Evangelical Reformed, and so it shall continue until by mutual agreement the one denomination purchase the right of the other.  And in this church no other doctrine shall be preached and taught than that of the Evangelical Lutheran and Evangelical Reformed Churches according to the Bible and the Augsburg Confession.  One denomination shall not interfere in the divine worship of the other,..."1

The church was dedicated in April, 1841, and called St. John's Church.  Rev. Heim and Rev. Ernst were present and preached on the occasion. The Sunday-school was now removed to the church.1

Rev. Heim preached here once every four weeks, exclusively in the German language.  The members scattered throughout Juniata Township were collected and much encouraged by having a church and regular preaching in their midst.  The Sunday-school was encouraged and flourished. until his death in December 1849..3

In 1849, the church was roughcast outside and plastered inside, and other improvements were made.Rev. Father Heim fell asleep in Jesus on the 27th of December, 1849, having organized and served the congregation as pastor about ten years. 1 

Rev. Hiem was succeeded by Rev Jacob Martin, who preached every third time in English, which enraged the German-speaking members, who even refused to attend the sacramental service. Rev. Martin resigned in  1852.  3

"Some of the fathers were very much displeased at him for preaching in the English language in their church, --in  the church they had built.  They thought in an unwarrantable innovation, a new measure not to be tolerated.  But the fathers were gradually overruled by the pressing want of the sons.  The transition from the German to the English language was slowly but surely going on.  The German-speaking portion of the congregation blamed Rev. Martin for introducing English preaching, and were offended at him for it. "  1

In June following, he was succeeded by the Rev. William Gerhardt, who preached here once every three weeks, alternately in the German and English languages.  The Lutheran congregation bought at this time a church-record, and after this entries were regularly made of baptisms, confirmations, &c.  The young members demanded that half of the preaching should be in the English language, and the old members could no longer deny the request.1 

The church remained without ministry for 8 months before Rev. Height commenced the ministry March 1854, only to cease the ministry seven months later. In June 1855 Rev. Focht preached his introductory sermon at St. John's Church, on Sunday, the 10th of June. The church continued to grow. The members of this congregation, at this time [1861] number about one hundred, are making commendable progress in the cause of souls and the blessed Redeemer.  The use of the German language in the pulpit will, before long, be among the things that were.  This is the only congregation of the Bloomfield charge that still requires an occasional sermon in German; but as the aged pass gradually away, and as the youth all speak the English, the use of the German language must necessarily pass soon away. The deacons and elders are all listed up to 1861.  1 

Little is known about the church after 1859.

Sometime before 1880 the church burned and the old union church had to be abandoned. The existing St. John's church was erected, as indicated by the corner stone dated 1880. - Judi Wilson

Now the Lutherans and German Presbyterians had differences of opinion. In 1882 the brick church, across the road from St. John's, was built.  The keystone over the door reads "St. John's Evangelican Lutheran Church 1882".

 - In about the year 1889, the abandoned union church edifice was razed and the plot on which it had stood was also sold as cemetery lots.4

1.  CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS A HISTORY OF THE LUTHERAN CONGREGATIONS IN PERRY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA by REV. D. H. FOCHT, A.M., CHAPTER II, SECTION III, ST. JOHN'S (BEALOR'S) CHURCH near MARKELVILLE, JUNIATA TOWNSHIP

2. Markelville Cemetery-1

3. History of Perry County, Pennsylvania, H.H.Hian

4. An Interesting Graveyard