In-as-much as the congregations, both Lutheran and Reformed, have discussed with each other and have agreed that the name of every member be entered in this book so that it may be known at all times who belongs to this church and that we may be governed by it and be able to control the disorder caused by the indiscriminate admission to the Lord's Supper and the admission to baptism of those who are outside of the congregation and do not assist in the support of the church and school as well as the pastor and schoolmaster. In order to support the congregation and help in defraying the expenses each one will subscribe of his free will and also have his name erased when it is cause for it.

The first church stood 13 or 14 years and when found too small, the second of stone was built and stood 29 or 30 years, the third (brick) 104 years and the fourth was built during 1908 and 1909. The second church of stone was built on the site of the first church. The stone came from the shale boulders of what is now Perry Township, but was then part of Windsor ownship. The following served on the building committe for the second church (1774): Conrad Kisner, Jermias Schabell and Eberhard Schappel (Reformed); Georg Hauer and Hannes (John) Hert (Lutheran). These names are spelled as they appear on the stones in the stone cemetery wall at the foot of the hill. However, one of these stones (with the name Georg Hauer) fell from the wall and is now missing.

The following is a quotation from the Reading Eagle dated November 19, 1898: "There is a tradition that during the Revolutionary War the church building was used as a storage house for powder for Washington's army and that night and day it was guarded by soldiers of the Continental Army.During this time religious services were held in Conrad Kershner's barn. The Kershner history states that the second church of stone was in use during the Revolutionary War as an arsenal and storehouse when food and clothing were solicited for the army. It was guarded by the militia. During the war the congregation assembled in the barn belonging to Conrad Kirshner, to worship. They also met there when the third church was built in 1805.

The third church of brick was built during 1804 and 1805 and an elevated site (opposite fourth or present church ) was chosen. Additional land was purchased and the brick was burned on the church's own land. The trustees, who were also the building committe, were Andrew Smith and Peter Schappell (Reformed) and George Hinkel and Peter Gardner (Lutheran).

(WINDSOR CASTLE ) CHURCH

Old church records sometimes refer to their schools as parochial schools because they are church-related. We do not know when Zion schoolhouse was built. Minutes of March 6, 1851 indicate excavation for an addition to the schoolhouse. There was a large schoolroom and entry hallway on the first floor. The kitchen was upstairs under the roof together with one room.

Report of teachers (John Starr) to Perry Township Board of Directors, Samuel Hoffman, Secretary:

For the month of December, 1856 - Books used: Sanders second & fourth reader, Comley spelling book, Roses & Pikes arithmetic, German , New Testament, Battery A-B-C book & Penners & Pike arithmetic.

Branches taught were reading, spelling, writing, geography, arithmetic and German. The following is a listing of students:

The schoolmasters as a rule, were a poor, self-sacrificing lot. They were given trials before the congregation and then elected for a stated term. Germans were preferred. Some had unsavory backgrounds and were as hard to get rid of as they were hard to get. Complaints from members were aired by the consistory, trials were held, and teachers subjected to a vote for dismissal. They were dependent upon the parents of their pupils and upon the congregation for their poor wages, food and fuel,shelter and clothing.

The best of them were, nevertheless, important personages inthe early congregations. Some of the early teachers had been trained in Europe, had studied theology and mastered the arts and sciences. The services of some were drafted as "readers" and "Vor singer" later, as their talents developed, they entered the ministry. For a time there was a serious scarcity of schoolmasters, for they entered the ministry as soon as they showed any marked ability to "read" or "catechise".

However, this was not the case with John Starr, A good schoolmaster sometimes substituted for the minister in his absence by reading sermons and prayers and leading the singing. To supplement their meager salaries, these masters took care of buildings, rang the church bell (if there was one ), entered church records and kept congregational accounts, served as professional clerks,worked on farms during the Summer, did private tutoring in selected subjects, taught music and singing, sang at funerals, farmed small tracts of land given them for their use, gave catechetical instruction, and so on.

The following was taken from an old newspaper which was dated July 14, 1898:

A HAIL STORM DOES DAMAGE

It was an early morning visitor and played havoc with glass.

The first hail storm in severral years visited the upper part of Berks on Saturday morning and did considerable damage in various ways.

Forming along the Blue Mountain, it passed over Hamburg asearly as 6 o'clock, accompanied by severe thunder and hail, the latter falling thick and fast for a short period, and breaking hundreds of window panes.

In the surrounding country the corn, fruit trees and grape vines were stripped.

The storm was apparently more severe east from here, as reports from Fleetwood, Blandon, Kutztown, Topton and other points indicate greater damages.

At Zion's Church in Perry Township 116 panes of glass were broken and residents of that community each suffered the loss of dozens of panes.

At Kutztown the hail caused two teams to run away, demolishing the wagons.

At some places the hail was so large it drew blood by striking cows in the pasture fields.

Between Lenhartsville and Klinesville more than a half-dozen telephone pols were struck by lightning and the batteries in the offices of Francis Levan at Lenhartsville and the Klinesville creamery were burned out.

JOHN HENRY DECKER

PHILIP JACOB MICHAEL

HENRY HARZEL

GEORGE WACK

HENRY DIEFFENBACH

CHARLEs GEBLER HERMAN

JOSEPH S DUBBS, D.D.

J.S. HERMAN

L.D. LEBERMAN

DR. R.S. APPEL

BENJAMIN WEISS

GEORGE G. GREENAWALD

JOSHUA S. BARTHOLOMEW