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St. Michael's and Zion Lutheran Church Pew Register and Index, [1770s?], 1834-1853

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Summary

Creator:
St. Michael's Evangelical Lutheran Church (Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa.) and Old Zion Lutheran Church (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Abstract:
This collection is made up of two volumes related to members and pew ownership in the St. Michael's and Zion churches of Philadelphia. One volume is an index of members, church affiliations (St. Michael's or Zion), and pew numbers (ca. 1770s?). The other is a register of pew ownership for Zion Church, 1834-1853.
Extent:
2 volumes
Language:
German
Authors:
Collection processed and finding aid created by Meg Hixon, September 2012

Background

Scope and Content:

This collection is made up of two volumes related to members and pew ownership in the St. Michael's and Zion churches of Philadelphia.

The first volume is a 50-page index to a pew register for the St. Michael's and Zion Lutheran churches of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (ca. 1770s?). The location of the pew register is currently unknown. The index reflects the division of the Philadelphia German Lutheran congregation between St. Michael's and Zion churches. It includes the names of members of the congregation, occupations (occasionally), church affiliation (St. Michael's or Zion), and pew number. The entries are grouped alphabetically by surname.

The second volume, titled Applicationen für Sitze, contains records of pew purchases and ownership in the Zion Church from October 1834 to December 1853. The recorder noted the names of parishioners who purchased seats (most often for $1.00) and pew numbers. Manuscript and partially printed receipts and documents regarding individuals' ownership of pews are laid into the volume. The church's president signed some of the receipts.

Biographical / Historical:

Thousands of German Lutherans traveled to Philadelphia in the first half of the 18th century. These immigrants relied on Swedish ministers to provide religious services until 1742 when Heinrich Melchior Mühlenberg became the first German pastor of the congregation in Philadelphia. The St. Michael's church was established the following year. The building was unable to accommodate the quickly growing congregation and so the members constructed a second building, the Zion Church. The new church began service in 1769.

Acquisition Information:
1989. M-2517 .
Processing information:

Cataloging funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC). This collection has been processed according to minimal processing procedures and may be revised, expanded, or updated in the future.

Rules or Conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Contents

Using These Materials

Info for Visitors

How to Request

Ordering Reproductions

Download PDF Finding Aid
RESTRICTIONS:

The collection is open for research.

USE & PERMISSIONS:

Copyright status is unknown

PREFERRED CITATION:

St. Michael's and Zion Lutheran Church Pew Register and Index, William L. Clements Library, The University of Michigan