History of First United Evangelical Church of Reading, Pennsylvania

This history appeared in Morton Montgomery's 1908 edition of The History of Berks County, p. 1700.

Surnames: HEIL, HOOVER, KISTLER, BROWNMILLER, MOHN, RUDISILL, BAKER, MARKLEY, MILLER, HENDEL, HERB

First United Evangelical Church. What is now the First United Evangelical Church of Reading, and the parent church of all the United Evangelical Churches of the city, had its beginning in the organization of Reading circuit by the Eastern Conference of the Evangelical Association in 1836. At a Congregational meeting held Oct. 16, 1894, it was unanimously resolved that the congregation of Salem Church of the Evangelical Association collectively and individually sever connection with the Evangelical Association and by resolution at said Congregational meeting united with the East Pennsylvania Conference of the United Evangelical Church. The large and beautiful church building at the corner of Eighth and Court streets was completed and dedicated, June 21, 1896.

The following pastors served this appointment; W. F. Heil, 1895-1899; J. W. Hoover, 1988-1903; E. H. Kistler, 1903-1907; J. W. Hoover, 1908, the present pastor, Rev. A. W. Brownmiller, having served since March, 1908.

The present board of trustees are the following: J. G. Mohn, Pres.; John Rudisill, Sec.; Edwin C. Baker, Treas.; Dr. B. H. Markley, Rep.; John R. Miller; George Hendel; W. H. Hendel; and Elias R. Herb. The present membership is 850 and the Sunday-school enrollment is 1,250. Since the organization in 1895 the congregation has raised for all purposes the magnificent sum of $247,141.93 [Supplied by A. W. Brownmiller.]