Snow Shoe Church of Christ Cemetery
Snow Shoe, Centre County, Pennsylvania, USA
About
-
- Cemetery ID:
Members have Contributed
Advertisement
Photos
History:
In 1881, John Shaw moved to this area from Arnot, Tioga County to pursue his labors as a coal-miner. With his wife Margaret and daughter Mary, he was one of several scores of Scotch and Welsh coal miners who emigrated here near the end of the 19th century in search of the good work that was promised in the rapidly growing coal miles at Snow Shoe. Being a Seceder Presbyterian, and convinced of the validity of the Restoration Movement, he avoided affiliation with any denominations then in existence and sought converts to Jesus Christ through his own personal ministry. Inviting friends and neighbors to Bible studies in his home on Number Ten hill, he continued practicing his own faith in home meetings for many years.
Eventually, the group outgrew the Shaw home and it is believed they began holding their worship services in a newly erected school located on Fountain Road at the intersection of the road to Pancake. Being a totally autonomous congregation of Christians, they kept few records of membership or other details, but it is known that several early members, in addition to the Shaws were Mr. and Mrs. E. R. Kront, Mr. and Mrs. Irving Watson, and Fred Banks. Although thinking of themselves as simply a congregation of Christians, the designation "Church of Christ' has been in use since 1905 when the U. S. Census Bureau first began using that name.
In 1903, John Shaw died, and E. R. Kront, a carpenter by trade, took a leadership role in constructing a sturdy frame church building just below the Snow Shoe borough line, in Snow Shoe Township. The building was completed and first used in July 1905. It is still in use today, although extensive renovations were made in the 1940s and again in the 1950s, providing more modern and convenient facilities. In 1960, the old hand-made pews were replaced by all new seating. A hand-made pulpit is still in use, interestingly containing a door made from a T. B. Budinger shipping crate, still showing his name and address on the inside! In 1975, a new wing was added on the east-side, increasing classroom space considerably.
Growth was slow in the early years and actually decreased somewhat in the mid-1930s. Beginning in the early 1940s membership has increased steadily. The congregation also maintains a cemetery on its grounds which is available to members and their families, as well as to the families of any person now buried there.
Since most members of the congregation believe in personal ministry and a program of mutual edification, no full-time pastor is employed. All leadership comes from the congregation itself, including the leaders, teachers, and speakers. Evangelists are used occasionally in protracted meetings, and over the last 70 odd years, some 35 or more such men have served the congregation. Seeking the unity Christ prayed for, among all Christians, this congregation looks to the future in the fullest hope and faith.
Cemetery reading was updated in October 1995. Bracket{} data is from cemetery records. Mrs. Spangeler (local historian 1871-1964) read this cemetery in 1930. No markers have disappeared since her inventory.
References:
Hall, William H. Mountain Top Area, A Bicentennial History, page 52
Source:
"The Cemeteries of Burnside and Snow Shoe Townships Centre County, Pennsylvania" printed in 2007 by the Centre County Genealogy Society. page 91-93
History:
In 1881, John Shaw moved to this area from Arnot, Tioga County to pursue his labors as a coal-miner. With his wife Margaret and daughter Mary, he was one of several scores of Scotch and Welsh coal miners who emigrated here near the end of the 19th century in search of the good work that was promised in the rapidly growing coal miles at Snow Shoe. Being a Seceder Presbyterian, and convinced of the validity of the Restoration Movement, he avoided affiliation with any denominations then in existence and sought converts to Jesus Christ through his own personal ministry. Inviting friends and neighbors to Bible studies in his home on Number Ten hill, he continued practicing his own faith in home meetings for many years.
Eventually, the group outgrew the Shaw home and it is believed they began holding their worship services in a newly erected school located on Fountain Road at the intersection of the road to Pancake. Being a totally autonomous congregation of Christians, they kept few records of membership or other details, but it is known that several early members, in addition to the Shaws were Mr. and Mrs. E. R. Kront, Mr. and Mrs. Irving Watson, and Fred Banks. Although thinking of themselves as simply a congregation of Christians, the designation "Church of Christ' has been in use since 1905 when the U. S. Census Bureau first began using that name.
In 1903, John Shaw died, and E. R. Kront, a carpenter by trade, took a leadership role in constructing a sturdy frame church building just below the Snow Shoe borough line, in Snow Shoe Township. The building was completed and first used in July 1905. It is still in use today, although extensive renovations were made in the 1940s and again in the 1950s, providing more modern and convenient facilities. In 1960, the old hand-made pews were replaced by all new seating. A hand-made pulpit is still in use, interestingly containing a door made from a T. B. Budinger shipping crate, still showing his name and address on the inside! In 1975, a new wing was added on the east-side, increasing classroom space considerably.
Growth was slow in the early years and actually decreased somewhat in the mid-1930s. Beginning in the early 1940s membership has increased steadily. The congregation also maintains a cemetery on its grounds which is available to members and their families, as well as to the families of any person now buried there.
Since most members of the congregation believe in personal ministry and a program of mutual edification, no full-time pastor is employed. All leadership comes from the congregation itself, including the leaders, teachers, and speakers. Evangelists are used occasionally in protracted meetings, and over the last 70 odd years, some 35 or more such men have served the congregation. Seeking the unity Christ prayed for, among all Christians, this congregation looks to the future in the fullest hope and faith.
Cemetery reading was updated in October 1995. Bracket{} data is from cemetery records. Mrs. Spangeler (local historian 1871-1964) read this cemetery in 1930. No markers have disappeared since her inventory.
References:
Hall, William H. Mountain Top Area, A Bicentennial History, page 52
Source:
"The Cemeteries of Burnside and Snow Shoe Townships Centre County, Pennsylvania" printed in 2007 by the Centre County Genealogy Society. page 91-93
Nearby cemeteries
Snow Shoe, Centre County, Pennsylvania, USA
- Total memorials675
- Percent photographed68%
- Percent with GPS16%
Clarence, Centre County, Pennsylvania, USA
- Total memorials1k+
- Percent photographed81%
- Percent with GPS36%
Clarence, Centre County, Pennsylvania, USA
- Total memorials205
- Percent photographed84%
- Percent with GPS2%
Moshannon, Centre County, Pennsylvania, USA
- Total memorials2k+
- Percent photographed80%
- Percent with GPS0%
- Added: 18 Jun 2004
- Find a Grave Cemetery ID: 1986286
Success
Uploading...
Waiting...
Failed
This photo was not uploaded because this cemetery already has 20 photos
This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this cemetery
This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this cemetery
Invalid File Type
Birth and death years unknown.
1 photo picked...
2 photos picked...
Uploading 1 Photo
Uploading 2 Photos
1 Photo Uploaded
2 Photos Uploaded
Size exceeded
Too many photos have been uploaded
"Unsupported file type"
• ##count## of 0 memorials with GPS displayed. Double click on map to view more.No cemeteries found