Brethren’s Family Almanac, 1875, pp. 9, 11, 13

Buffalo Valley Church, Middle Dist., Pa.

The Church of the Brethren in Buffalo Valley, Union Co., Pa., was organized in the fall of the year 1820 during the first Love Feast, which was held at the house of John Royer in Buffalo Township. It was organized by the election of two deacons, namely: David Shellaberger and the aforesaid John Royer. This was done under the supervision of Elder Christian Long of Huntingdon County, and David Shellenberger of Lost Creek church, Juniata Co. These two deacons served in their office two years, when it was considered good to hold an election for a preacher. This election was held during a Love Feast occasion at the house of Jacob Royer—son of John—in the Fall of 1828, and resulted in the choice of David Shellaberger to that office. He, however, felt that the responsibilities of the station rested too heavily upon him, so that he felt unwilling to labor alone in the capacity of a preacher very long; then the brethren held another choice the following year, 1829, and elected John Royer to the ministry and Jacob Royer and Henry Ruebsam as deacons. These brethren labored together until, about 1834, when another choice was held for a preacher and a deacon, which resulted in the election of Henry Ruebsam to the ministry. Joel Royer and Isaac Myers having obtained nearly an equal number of voices both those brethren were installed as deacons. Bro. John Lauber, a preacher from Lost Creek Church, moved into this church during the year 1825.

In the year 1837, Bro. David Shellaberger moved to Ohio, in the year 1838 Bro. Henry Ruebsam also moved to Ohio; and then in the fall of the year 1839, during a Love Feast held at the house of John Lauber, another election was held, when Isaac Myers was chosen to the ministry, and John Bogenreif and Allen Boyer as deacons. From these facts and dates it appears that from 1835 to 1837, David Shellaberger, John Royer, Henry Ruebsam and John Lauber labored jointly in the ministry; and from the Spring of 1838 to the fall of 1839, but two of these brethren had the care of the church upon them, viz: John Royer and John Lauber; Isaac Myers being added by election, and John Sprogel, a preacher having moved into the church from Chester Co., Pa., the active ministerial force was again restored to what it had been in 1835 to 38. Bro. John Sprogel moved into the church in 1840. The deacons at this time were Jacob Royer, Joel Royer, John Bogenreif and Allen Boyer.

These Brethren labored together jointly and without any change that we know of, about six years, when in the Spring of 1846, John Lauber and Allen Boyer removed to Illinois. Charles Royer and John Shively were then elected deacons, and in the fall of the same year Elder John Royer died. So that at this point of time the official number stood two minister and five deacons. During the year 1847, Charles Royer was chosen to the ministry. This was the fifth ministerial election held in this church and this gave the church three ministers and four deacons. In this proportion these brethren labored together until 1850, when some changes occurred again. About this time many accessions to the church were obtained. During this year John Sprogel and Isaac Myers were ordained as Elders. John Bogenreif was chosen to the ministry, and Robert Badger and Isaac Royer deacons. During the Summer of 1853 John Shively and Joel Royer died. This left the church with but three deacons and four ministers, until 1859, when another election was held and Robert Badger was chosen to the ministry and Christian M. Shively, deacon. During the year 1858, Robert Badger moved to Illinois, and in the year 1859, Elder John Sprogel also moved to Illinois. So that at this time the church had but three preachers and three deacons, viz: Isaac Myers, Charles Royer and John Bogenreif, ministers. Jacob Royer, Isaac Royer and Christian M. Shively Deacons. June 3rd 1859 John L. Beaver was chosen to the ministry. In the fall of 1859 Adam Beaver was chosen to be a deacon. May 30th 1860, Adam Beaver was elected to the ministry and John G. Royer a deacon. John G. Royer moved to Ohio in the Spring of 1863.

June 18th 1863, Jacob S. Shively and George W. Myers were chosen deacons. This election brought the official number to five preachers and five deacons.

In the Spring of 1867, Preacher Samuel Longenecker moved into this church from Adams Co., Pa., and on October 8th of the same year, William K. Moore and Peter H. Beauer were chosen deacons. October 9th 1868, Geo. W. Myers was elected to the ministry. June 1st 1869, Jacob E. Royer was chosen deacon, and Jacob Royer Sr., was about this time retired to the super-annuated position, or excused from active service as deacon. William K. Moore moved to Illinois in the Spring of this year. October 14th 1871, John Bogenrief was reinstated to the ministry. October 1871, Jacob Book was chosen to the office of deacon. During the year 1872, Samuel Longenecker moved to Iowa and John Bogenrief died. So we find June 1st 1874, that Jacob Royer has held the office of deacon now 40 years, and Isaac Myers the office of preacher 35 years, 24 years of which time he has been an Elder. Anna Beaver is the only living member who was present at the first meeting of the Brethren in Buffalo Valley, held at the house of her father Oct., 1816. The Church has now in active service five ministers and six deacons. September 23rd 1874, Charles Royer was ordained to the eldership in this church. This I believe completes the record of this church as accurately as I am able to obtain it at this period of time. Fragmentary records have been kept only since the year 1858, all the other facts and dates were collected from the recollections of the oldest members, and they are probably correct in all important particulars. Since I have been at the labor and expense of time to gather up those early traditions of the church, I desire to put them on record permanently, that they may not fade from memory again, and be consigned to oblivion. P. H. BEAVER.