Current Issue
Archives
Newsletters
Facebook Posts
How did the Evangelical and Reformed Church deal with the issue of immigration in the United States?
The Evangelical and Reformed Church was the product of several mergers that included the (German) Reformed Church in the United States, the Hungarian Reformed Church, and the (German) Evangelical Synod of North America. Each of these three separate denominational units had a rich historical backgrounds and were founded by immigrants from Europe.
The (German) Reformed Church in the United States was primarily formed in the early 1700s by immigrants from the Palatinate region of Germany whereas the (German) Evangelical Synod of North America was organized almost a century later and consisted of immigrants represented by Lutheran and Reformed traditions. These immigrants were primarily sent by the mission societies at Basel, Switzerland and Barmen, Germany.
A lesser known bit of our history is the work in the church among the Hungarians in America. This work was started by the (German) Reformed Church in the United States in the early 1890s and in 1921, the Hungarian churches officially became part of the (German) Reformed Church in the United States through what is known as the "Tiffin Agreement."
The photographs here show the "Public Reception of Immigrants" into the (German) Reformed Church in the United States. This standardized service was published in the "Order of Worship for the Reformed Church," published in Philadelphia, PA, by S.R. Fisher & Co. in 1867. Several copies of this order of worship can be found in the library collection at the E&R Library & Archives. #erlibraryandarchives #immigrants #immigration
5 days ago
1 CommentComment on Facebook
This is so interesting and very timely! Thank you for sharing these important pieces of our history with us… here and now.
Did you know that more than 51 million individuals in the United States can trace their ancestry to both Germany and Hungary? The E&R Library & Archives is a great place to research your family history for those that were part of the former Evangelical and Reformed Church and each of the the predecessor denominations in the United States.
But, where do you go when you need access to church records from Germany without expensive travel? Archion is an online repository with more than 175,000 church books from over 25 different archives in Germany. You can start researching your family history if you know the time and place your ancestors lived. Click the link below to visit Archion and start your search today! #erlibraryandarchives #Archion
1 month ago
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Thank you to Project World Impact for the shoutout!If you have German ancestry or family ties to the Evangelical and Reformed Church, E&R Library & Archives is ready to help you dig into your roots.
A great resource for anyone exploring their heritage—check them out!
#GenealogyResearch #FamilyHistory #GermanAncestry
2 months ago
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
As we prepare for the July 4th holiday, ERLA Board Secretary, Garland Gates, adapted the prayer for Independence Day from the 1947 E&R Book of Worship and it is included below for your enjoyment and use.
O blessed and only Ruler, who has granted unto our country freedom, and established sovereignty by the people’s will, we thank you for the great men and women you have raised up for our nation, to defend our liberty, and maintain law and order within our borders. Ever give unto the Republic wise and fearless leaders in every time of need. Enlighten and direct the multitudes whom you have ordained in power, that their counsels may be filled with knowledge and equity, and the whole commonwealth be preserved in peace, unity, strength, and honor. Take under your governance and protection your servants, the President, the Governors of States and Territories, the lawgivers and the judges, and all who are entrusted with authority; so defending them from all evil and enriching them with all needed good, that the people may prosper in freedom beneath an equal law, and our nation may magnify your name in all the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
To celebrate the July 4th holiday and to enjoy time with family and friends, we will be CLOSED on Friday, July 4, 2025. #erlibraryandarchives
3 months ago
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Today, we pause to celebrate Juneteenth, the day that General Order No. 3 was written in 1865 that stated, "all slaves are free." Also known as Freedom Day, this event helps to remind us of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and the important role that libraries, archives, and museums play in promoting positive social justice issues.
You can learn more about Juneteenth and the "unearthing" of General Order No. 3 by clicking the links in the comments below. #Juneteenth #erlibraryandarchives #Libraries #archives #NationalArchives
3 months ago
3 CommentsComment on Facebook
You can learn more about General Order No. 3 by clicking the link below.
You can learn more about Juneteenth by reading the article below titled, "The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth."
Thank you for sharing these links and this important information here.
View Comments
likes
love
21
Shares:
9
Comments:
1