Communion altar from Brickerville United Lutheran Church (originally Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church). Rectangular altar of painted softwood, panelled construction all four sides with pegged mortise and tenon joints. Small panels over large. Door in the back with a recessed panel and knob handle. Molding around base, the edge of the top, and framing the recessed panels.
Modification to altar in 1947 by Bob Helman (signature underneath when removed 10-17-00) was a long platform shelf covering the back 2/5 of the top, with holes at the back, including an electrical outlet. Entire altar has been given a new coat of paint, a light chocolate brown on top and white on the sides. The unpainted interior has one shelf with a vertical divider.
Altar has been used since circa 1800 to serve communion, using the Brickerville United Lutheran Church's ten-piece pewter communion service which is also in collections (P97.08.01-10).
Perhaps made by Emanuel Dyer of Manheim or Mr. Zartman of Brickerville.
Large crack on top, approx. 4" from front, running halfway across top. Recently painted. Some separation at moldings. Large hole bored in altar top (for electric wire) underneath the added platform, now removed. The modern base molding also removed. Repainted top with brown and attached molding at ends of top to secure plexi top. Paint removed on door.
Object ID
P.00.34.1
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Heritage Center Collection, acquired through generosity of James Hale Steinman Foundation and V. Ronald Smith
Bookplate on a page from a Martyrs Mirror, done in the style of Ephrata Cloister with a flowing hand using strong, bold letters. Letters are black with green and orange infill. Bookplate simply reads: "Carl/ Christo/ phel." One flower is at top right and a stylized pot with plant having 3 flowers is at lower left. Page is float-mounted in a window mat with a handmade cherry frame.
Ephrata Cloister, Lancaster Co.
Removed from Martyrs Mirror by a previous owner (Evelyn Good) due to water damage to the book which was then discarded. The opposing page was also saved and is mounted in Mylar on reverse side of frame. It carries a ghost image of the bookplate; string from binding is visible.
Acquired with typewritten inscription mounted on back of frame states: "BOOKPLATE MADE FOR CARL CHRISTOPHEL FOR/ HIS COPY OF THE EPHRATA MARTYR'S MIRROR-1748./ WORK OF SISTER ANASTASIA THE PEN-ARTIST OF THE CLOISTER ABC PATTERN BOOK OF LETTERS."
According to Clarke Hess, the penwork is by an unknown Ephrata Cloister artist. Clarke notes that Carl Christophel was a deacon at New Danville Mennonite Church in Conestoga Twp.(now Pequea Twp.) He died in 1767.
In Masonic Lodge Fraktur exhibit for several years. Removed circa 2008.
On short-term exhibit at Historical Society of Cocalico Valley, 2010.
Unknown Ephrata Cloister artist
Provenance
Dr. Robbins purchased framed pages from Evelyn Yingst Good's sale, Sat., May 11, 1991, lot #152, for $3,800. Evelyn Good was an Ephrata librarian. Valued at $5000, Robbins sold to museum for $2,500, donating the other half. Irene Walsh then reimbursed museum for the $2,500.
Acid burned edges are brown; soiled along outside edges; stains and foxing. Moisture stain at top left. Remains of binding still attached at left. Moisture staining at upper left corner. Two minor tears at top center, with ragged edges overall. Paper losses within black ink.
Conserved by Marilyn Kemp Weidner of Phila.
Object ID
P.98.52.1
Place of Origin
Ephrata
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of Irene Walsh and Dr. Warren Robbins, Heritage Center Collection
Christmas card featuring Amish family in front of fireplace "O Come All Ye Faithful." Hand watercolored. Inside printed "May the peace of Christmas abide with you throughout the year Elizabeth and Henry Kauffman." Printed "Zoe T. Kauffman" on front.
Christmas card. Front has angels and the Virgin and Child with the words "May the Christmas tide remind us of our faith let us.. close our eyes to man's... Creations and pray that. The true Christmas... Spirit pervades the earth." Inside written "Christmas Greetings from Henry and Zoe Kauffman." Printed on front "Zoe T. Kauffman."
Christmas card. Front has Amish family walking by house. Printed with hand watercoloring. Inside is printed "Glory to God in the highest and on earth pease, good will toward men" and signed "Zoe and Henry Kauffman." Printed on front "Zoe T. Kauffman."
Christmas card. Front has top of steeple of Trinity Lutheran Church. Printed with hand watercoloring. At bottom written "Trinity Tower, Lancaster" and printed "Zoe T. Kauffman." Inside written "Christmas Greetings from Zoe and Henry Kauffman."
Christmas card. Front features house, horse, and sleigh in winter. Printed with hand watercoloring. Inside written "A Merrie Christmas from 'The Patch' Zoe and Henry Kauffman." Printed on front "Zoe T. Kauffman."
Christmas card. Front says "Our cookie tree" with drawing of multi-tiered stand with candles, figures and animals. Red print with green and yellow watercolor and silver paint done by hand. Inside written in red in the shape of a Christmas tree "A very merry Christmans from the Kauffmans." Unsigned on front.
Christmas card. Front features PA German design--two angels and doves on either side of a heart in which is printed "1946 An Old Fashioned Pennsylvania Dutch Christmas." Printed with had watercoloring. Inside is written "Merry Christmas from Henry and Zoe Kauffman/" Printed on front "Zoe T. Kauffman."
Christmas card. Green paper. On front reindeer in PA German style wreath. Printed "Anno 1949." Printed with hand watercoloring. Inside written "Merry Christmas from Zoe and Henry Kauffman." Printed on front "Z. Kauffman." Printed on back "Motif from Pennsylvania chalk figure."
