This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: zulifuz Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.pennsylvania.counties.northumberland/9993.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Marilyn, See history of Reformed churches at: http://www.ccel.org/s/schaff/encyc/encyc09/htm/iv.vii.cvi.htm The Lutheran and Reformed churches have retained their separate identities since the days of the Reformation in the 16th C. The Lutheran churches had their origin in Germany, primarily stemming from the work of Martin Luther (1483-1586). The Reformed churches had their origin in Switzerland, primarily stemming from the work of Ulrich Zwingli (1484-1531). It appears you are especially concerned with Lutheran and Reformed relationships in SE Pennsylvania, which can indeed be confusing, so I'll attempt to provide some clarification. Congregations of Lutherans and German Reformed (as distinct from Dutch Reformed congregations found mostly in NJ and NY) retained their separate denominational identities in SE Pennsylvania while cooperating in the use of the same church buildings and facilities. Language of worhsip for both congregations was usually in German during the 18th and 19th Centuries. The general practice was to have worship conducted alternatively by a Lutheran pastor one Sunday and by a Reformed pastor the next Sunday. The buildings of the cooperating denominations were often referred to in local parlance as "union churches" but this was not an "official" designation. With the advent of sunday schools in the 18th C., the educational activities of these cooperating congregations, led by teachers from both congregations, ! were frequently named Union Sunday Schools. The sunday schools tended to blur the denominational distinctions, as did also frequent intermarriages between members of the two congregations. Blurring of denominational distinctiveness occurred at the congregational level but not at the level of the official heirarchy. For records about members of the early Reformed churches that are no longer held in offices of the old churches, you probably should get in touch with the archivist of the Evangelical and Reformed Historical Society, in the Philip Schaff Library on the campus of Lancaster Theological Seminary, 555. W. James Street, Lancaster, PA 17603. You can direct your inquiries to Dianne Russell at 717-290-8711 or by e-mail at drussell@lancasterseminary.edu. A daily pass to do research at the ERHS Library is only $5.00 a day, and annual membership in the Society is $25.00. See their Website at URL: http://www.erhs.info/Home.html Rev. Nelson R. Sulouff Retired Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.