Horner Lutheran Church Horner Lutheran Church A BRIEF HISTORY OF HORNER  EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH     The exact date of the organization of Horner's Lutheran Church is not known. The Rev. Charles F. Heyer, one of the pioneer pastors of Somerset County, effected an organization sometime during 1835. Though the first subscription to build a church edifice is dated March 7, 1835, the completion and dedication of the church building did not occur until November 15, 1839. This first building was jointly constructed and owned by people from the Lutheran, Reformed, and Dunkard traditions. The building had dimensions of 26 by 36 feet, was located in the southeast corner of what is now the Horner - Mt. Tabor Cemetery, and was erected at a cost of $850.00. The Eucharist was celebrated for the first time in this building by the Lutherans on December 1, 1839.     Early in the 1870's, the Dunkard congregation moved to a new location. During this same time period the Lutheran and Reformed congregations each decided to build their own church building, and the 1835 structure was eventually torn down. In 1873, during the pastorate of the Rev. John Tomlinson, the members of Horner's Lutheran Church moved into their new church building which was built on the opposite side of the road from the old structure. Erected at a cost of $3,500.00, this building has undergone many extensive renovations over the years. This second structure continues to serve the needs of Horner's.     The congregation of Horner's Evangelical Lutheran Church celebrated its 150th anniversary on October 20, 1985 Zion Hoffman Lutheran Church A BRIEF HISTORY OF ZION HOFFMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH     Zion Hoffman Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized by the Rev. Ernest Henry Tiedeman on November 20,1814. However, because of early records which are still extant, we do know that worship services were almost certainly taking place prior to the above date since a church building had been erected in 1813, and the sacrament of Holy Baptism was administered on July 6,1812, and again on April 30, 1813. A second church building was soon to be built, which was replaced in 1845 by a third building--a one-story frame structure, having dimensions of 34 feet by 44 feet, costing $1,200.00. When this third structure was totally destroyed by a flue fire in 1869, plans were immediately made to rebuild. The cornerstone of the new church was laid on July 4, 1870, and the building was dedicated July 31, 1871. This building, which continues to serve the Zion Hoffman congregation, was erected at a cost of $3,200.00, and measures 48 by 57 feet. This building has undergone extensive renovations over the years; the first in 1890, and again in 1928, 1965, and 1984. Improvements over the years included the installation of an altar, choir platform, new pews, and basement.     In 1934, the church steeple was hit by lightning and became engulfed in flames. The fire destroyed the steeple and ruined the bell tower and the bell. The church building again narrowly escaped destruction on June 13,1948, when a tornado touched down within a short distance of the structure uprooting many nearby trees.     The congregation of Zion Hoffman Lutheran Church celebrated its 175th anniversary on November 12, 1989.

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