Henry Muhlenberg
Encyclopedia
Henry Melchior Muhlenberg (an anglicanization of Heinrich Melchior Mühlenberg) (September 6, 1711 – October 7, 1787), was a German
Lutheran pastor sent to North America
as a missionary
, requested by Pennsylvania colonists.
Integral to the founding of the first Lutheran church body or denomination
in North America, Muhlenberg is considered the patriarch of the Lutheran Church in the United States
. Muhlenberg and his wife Anna Maria had a large family
, several of whom had a significant impact on colonial life in North America as pastors, military officers, and politicians. His and Anna Maria's descendants continued to be active in Pennsylvania and national political life.
, to Nicolaus Melchior Mühlenberg and Anna Maria Kleinschmid in the German
state of Hanover. He studied theology
at the Georg-August University of Göttingen
. As a student, Muhlenberg came under the influence of the Pietist
movement through fellow students from Einbeck who had worked at the Francke Foundations
in Halle (Saale)
, an important Pietist institution. With two other men, Muhlenberg started a charity school in Göttingen that eventually became an orphanage.
After completing his studies in spring 1738, Muhlenberg taught at the Historic Orphanage of the Francke Foundations. He was mentored by its director, the Pietist theologian Gotthilf August Francke, son of the institution's founder, August Hermann Francke
, and a professor at the University of Halle. Muhlenberg was ordained in Leipzig in 1739, and served as assistant minister and director of the orphanage
at Grosshennersdorf
from 1739 to 1741. In 1741 he was send by Gotthilf August Francke, son of August Hermann Francke and his follower as director of the Francke Foundations to serve german speaking congregations in Pennsylvanien. In 1742 he emigrated to North America in response to a request from Lutherans in Pennsylvania. He essentially founded the Lutheran Church as an institution there.
had largely been founded by lay ministers. As Nicolaus Ludwig Zinzendorf
was successful in winning a number of converts to the Moravian Church, the Lutherans asked German churches for formally trained clergy.
In 1742, Muhlenberg immigrated to Philadelphia, responding to the 1732 request by Pennsylvania Lutherans. He took charge of the congregation at Providence (Augustus Lutheran Church
), in what is now Trappe, Pennsylvania
. He also provided leadership to a series of congregations from Maryland
to New York
, working to secure control over less qualified pastors and starting new congregations among the settlers of the region. In 1748 he called together The Ministerium of Pennsylvania
, the first permanent Lutheran synod
in America. He helped to prepare a uniform liturgy
that same year, and also wrote basic tenets for an ecclesiastical constitution, which most of the churches adopted in 1761. He did much work on a hymnal
, published by the Ministerium in 1786.
The dedication stone of the Augustus Lutheran Church, above its door, is dedicated to Muhlenberg and its other founders.
Muhlenberg frequently traveled beyond the three congregations assigned to him. During his 45-year ministry, he reached from New York
to Georgia
. He ministered not only to the German-language populations he was assigned to, but to colonists from the Netherlands
and Britain
as well, in their native languages. His colleagues requested his help in arbitrating disputes among Lutherans, or in some cases with other religious groups.
Muhlenberg also worked to recruit new ministers from Europe and to develop more ministers from the colonists.
Poor health forced him into limited activity and retirement. He eventually died at his home in Trappe, Pennsylvania
. He was interred in the rear of Augustus Lutheran Church with his wife Anna Maria, followed by their son, the colonial general Peter Muhlenberg
. By request, he was buried next to the grave of his good friend and sponsor, Augustus Church co-founder Frederick Ludwig Marsteller.
. The couple had eleven children and founded the Muhlenberg Family
dynasty, where generations were active in the US military, politics, academia and ministry.
Of their children, three sons entered the ministry and became prominent in other fields as well. Their son Peter
became a Major General
in the Continental Army
and later was elected to the U.S. Congress. Frederick
served as the first Speaker of the House
in the U. S. Congress
after his election to office. Henry, Jr. became pastor of the Zion Lutheran Church at Oldwick, New Jersey
. Henry Ernst
was an early scientist, and the first president of Franklin College (now Franklin & Marshall
).
Their daughter Elisabeth married future general Francis Swaine. Maria Salome (“Sally”) married the future US Congressman, Matthias Richards
. Eve married Emmanuel Shulze, and their son John Andrew Schulze was elected Governor of Pennsylvania.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
Lutheran pastor sent to North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
as a missionary
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
, requested by Pennsylvania colonists.
Integral to the founding of the first Lutheran church body or denomination
Christian denomination
A Christian denomination is an identifiable religious body under a common name, structure, and doctrine within Christianity. In the Orthodox tradition, Churches are divided often along ethnic and linguistic lines, into separate churches and traditions. Technically, divisions between one group and...
in North America, Muhlenberg is considered the patriarch of the Lutheran Church in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Muhlenberg and his wife Anna Maria had a large family
Muhlenberg family
The Muhlenberg family created a United States political, religious, and military dynasty based in the state of Pennsylvania. The family descends from Heinrich Melchior Mühlenberg/Henry Muhlenberg , a German immigrant, noted Lutheran minister, and founder of the Lutheran Church in...
, several of whom had a significant impact on colonial life in North America as pastors, military officers, and politicians. His and Anna Maria's descendants continued to be active in Pennsylvania and national political life.
Biography
Muhlenberg was born in 1711 at EinbeckEinbeck
Einbeck is a town in the district Northeim, in southern Lower Saxony, Germany. It is located on the German Timber-Frame Road.-Economy:Einbeck is famous for its 600 year old beer brewery, home of Einbecker Bier, the origin for the term Bock beer...
, to Nicolaus Melchior Mühlenberg and Anna Maria Kleinschmid in the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
state of Hanover. He studied theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
at the Georg-August University of Göttingen
Georg-August University of Göttingen
The University of Göttingen , known informally as Georgia Augusta, is a university in the city of Göttingen, Germany.Founded in 1734 by King George II of Great Britain and the Elector of Hanover, it opened for classes in 1737. The University of Göttingen soon grew in size and popularity...
. As a student, Muhlenberg came under the influence of the Pietist
Pietism
Pietism was a movement within Lutheranism, lasting from the late 17th century to the mid-18th century and later. It proved to be very influential throughout Protestantism and Anabaptism, inspiring not only Anglican priest John Wesley to begin the Methodist movement, but also Alexander Mack to...
movement through fellow students from Einbeck who had worked at the Francke Foundations
Francke Foundations
The Francke Foundations , also known as Glauchasche Anstalten in Halle, were founded in 1695 as a Christian, social and educational work by August Hermann Francke , a Pietist, theologian and university professor in Halle, Germany. Francke Foundations are today a modern educational cosmos closely...
in Halle (Saale)
Halle, Saxony-Anhalt
Halle is the largest city in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt. It is also called Halle an der Saale in order to distinguish it from the town of Halle in North Rhine-Westphalia...
, an important Pietist institution. With two other men, Muhlenberg started a charity school in Göttingen that eventually became an orphanage.
After completing his studies in spring 1738, Muhlenberg taught at the Historic Orphanage of the Francke Foundations. He was mentored by its director, the Pietist theologian Gotthilf August Francke, son of the institution's founder, August Hermann Francke
August Hermann Francke
August Hermann Francke was a German Lutheran churchman.-Biography:Born at the German city Lübeck, Francke was educated at the gymnasium in Gotha before he studied at the universities of Erfurt and Kiel - where he came under the influence of the pietist Christian Kortholt - and finally Leipzig...
, and a professor at the University of Halle. Muhlenberg was ordained in Leipzig in 1739, and served as assistant minister and director of the orphanage
Orphanage
An orphanage is a residential institution devoted to the care of orphans – children whose parents are deceased or otherwise unable or unwilling to care for them...
at Grosshennersdorf
Großhennersdorf
Großhennersdorf is a village and a former municipality in Görlitz district, Free State of Saxony, Germany. Since 1 January 2011, it is part of the town Herrnhut. It is connected by Bundesstraße 178 linking Löbau and Zittau....
from 1739 to 1741. In 1741 he was send by Gotthilf August Francke, son of August Hermann Francke and his follower as director of the Francke Foundations to serve german speaking congregations in Pennsylvanien. In 1742 he emigrated to North America in response to a request from Lutherans in Pennsylvania. He essentially founded the Lutheran Church as an institution there.
Lutheran Church in Pennsylvania
The Lutheran churches in PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
had largely been founded by lay ministers. As Nicolaus Ludwig Zinzendorf
Nicolaus Ludwig Zinzendorf
Nikolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf und Pottendorf, Imperial Count of Zinzendorf and Pottendorf, , German religious and social reformer and bishop of the Moravian Church, was born at Dresden....
was successful in winning a number of converts to the Moravian Church, the Lutherans asked German churches for formally trained clergy.
In 1742, Muhlenberg immigrated to Philadelphia, responding to the 1732 request by Pennsylvania Lutherans. He took charge of the congregation at Providence (Augustus Lutheran Church
Augustus Lutheran Church
Augustus Lutheran Church, built during 1743-1745 in Trappe, Pennsylvania, is the oldest unchanged Lutheran church building in the United States in continuous use by the same congregation....
), in what is now Trappe, Pennsylvania
Trappe, Pennsylvania
Trappe is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,509 at the 2010 census. Augustus Lutheran Church, built in 1743, is the oldest unchanged Lutheran church building in the United States in continuous use by the same congregation...
. He also provided leadership to a series of congregations from Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, working to secure control over less qualified pastors and starting new congregations among the settlers of the region. In 1748 he called together The Ministerium of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Ministerium
The Pennsylvania Ministerium was the first Lutheran church body in North America. With the encouragement of Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, the Ministerium was founded at a meeting of German-American Lutheran clergy on August 26, 1748...
, the first permanent Lutheran synod
Synod
A synod historically is a council of a church, usually convened to decide an issue of doctrine, administration or application. In modern usage, the word often refers to the governing body of a particular church, whether its members are meeting or not...
in America. He helped to prepare a uniform liturgy
Liturgy
Liturgy is either the customary public worship done by a specific religious group, according to its particular traditions or a more precise term that distinguishes between those religious groups who believe their ritual requires the "people" to do the "work" of responding to the priest, and those...
that same year, and also wrote basic tenets for an ecclesiastical constitution, which most of the churches adopted in 1761. He did much work on a hymnal
Hymnal
Hymnal or hymnary or hymnbook is a collection of hymns, i.e. religious songs, usually in the form of a book. The earliest hand-written hymnals are known since Middle Ages in the context of European Christianity...
, published by the Ministerium in 1786.
The dedication stone of the Augustus Lutheran Church, above its door, is dedicated to Muhlenberg and its other founders.
Muhlenberg frequently traveled beyond the three congregations assigned to him. During his 45-year ministry, he reached from New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
to Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. He ministered not only to the German-language populations he was assigned to, but to colonists from the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
and Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
as well, in their native languages. His colleagues requested his help in arbitrating disputes among Lutherans, or in some cases with other religious groups.
Muhlenberg also worked to recruit new ministers from Europe and to develop more ministers from the colonists.
Poor health forced him into limited activity and retirement. He eventually died at his home in Trappe, Pennsylvania
Trappe, Pennsylvania
Trappe is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,509 at the 2010 census. Augustus Lutheran Church, built in 1743, is the oldest unchanged Lutheran church building in the United States in continuous use by the same congregation...
. He was interred in the rear of Augustus Lutheran Church with his wife Anna Maria, followed by their son, the colonial general Peter Muhlenberg
Peter Muhlenberg
John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg was an American clergyman, Continental Army soldier during the American Revolutionary War, and political figure in the newly-independent United States...
. By request, he was buried next to the grave of his good friend and sponsor, Augustus Church co-founder Frederick Ludwig Marsteller.
Dynasty
Soon after arriving in Pennsylvania, in 1745 Muhlenberg married Anna Maria Weiser, the daughter of colonial leader Conrad WeiserConrad Weiser
Weiser's colonial service began in 1731. The Iroquois sent Shikellamy, an Oneida chief, as an emissary to other tribes and the British. Shikellamy lived on the Susquehanna River at Shamokin village, near present-day Sunbury, Pennsylvania. An oral tradition holds that Weiser met Shikellamy while...
. The couple had eleven children and founded the Muhlenberg Family
Muhlenberg family
The Muhlenberg family created a United States political, religious, and military dynasty based in the state of Pennsylvania. The family descends from Heinrich Melchior Mühlenberg/Henry Muhlenberg , a German immigrant, noted Lutheran minister, and founder of the Lutheran Church in...
dynasty, where generations were active in the US military, politics, academia and ministry.
Of their children, three sons entered the ministry and became prominent in other fields as well. Their son Peter
Peter Muhlenberg
John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg was an American clergyman, Continental Army soldier during the American Revolutionary War, and political figure in the newly-independent United States...
became a Major General
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
in the Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
and later was elected to the U.S. Congress. Frederick
Frederick Muhlenberg
Frederick Augustus Conrad Muhlenberg was an American minister and politician who was the first Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. A delegate and a member of the U.S...
served as the first Speaker of the House
Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
The Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, or Speaker of the House, is the presiding officer of the United States House of Representatives...
in the U. S. Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
after his election to office. Henry, Jr. became pastor of the Zion Lutheran Church at Oldwick, New Jersey
Oldwick, New Jersey
Oldwick is an unincorporated area within Tewksbury Township in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, United States. The area is served as United States Postal Service ZIP Code 08858. As of the United States 2000 Census, the population for ZIP Code Tabulation Area 08858 was 177.Oldwick was formerly known as...
. Henry Ernst
Gotthilf Heinrich Ernst Muhlenberg
Gotthilf Heinrich Ernst Muhlenberg was an American clergyman and botanist.-Biography:The son of Heinrich Melchior Muhlenberg, he was born in Trappe, Pennsylvania. He was educated at in Halle starting in 1763 and in 1769 at the University of Halle. He returned to Pennsylvania in September 1770...
was an early scientist, and the first president of Franklin College (now Franklin & Marshall
Franklin & Marshall College
Franklin & Marshall College is a four-year private co-educational residential national liberal arts college in the Northwest Corridor neighborhood of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States....
).
Their daughter Elisabeth married future general Francis Swaine. Maria Salome (“Sally”) married the future US Congressman, Matthias Richards
Matthias Richards
Matthias Richards was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.-Early life and education:...
. Eve married Emmanuel Shulze, and their son John Andrew Schulze was elected Governor of Pennsylvania.
Legacy and honors
- Henry Melchior Muhlenberg is commemorated in the Calendar of SaintsCalendar of Saints (Lutheran)The Lutheran Calendar of Saints is a listing which details the primary annual festivals and events that are celebrated liturgically by some Lutheran Churches in the United States. The calendars of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod are from the...
used by some Lutheran Churches in the United States on October 7. - Muhlenberg is honored with a feast day on the liturgical calendar of the Episcopal Church (USA)Calendar of saints (Episcopal Church in the United States of America)The veneration of saints in the Episcopal Church is a continuation of an ancient tradition from the early Church which honors important people of the Christian faith. The usage of the term "saint" is similar to Roman Catholic and Orthodox traditions. Those in the Anglo-Catholic tradition may...
on October 7. - Muhlenberg CollegeMuhlenberg CollegeMuhlenberg College is a private liberal arts college located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1848, Muhlenberg is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and is named for Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, the patriarch of the Lutheran Church in America.- History...
in Allentown, PennsylvaniaAllentown, PennsylvaniaAllentown is a city located in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is Pennsylvania's third most populous city, after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and the 215th largest city in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 118,032 and is currently...
is named in his honor. - The Muhlenberg Monument entitled "Man of Vision", sculpted by US artist Stanley Wanlass, is located on the campus of Muhlenberg College.
- Lake MuhlenbergLake MuhlenbergLake Muhlenberg is a lake located in Allentown, Pennsylvania in the United States.Part of the Cedar Beach Parkway and part of the city's park system, Lake Muhlenberg is stocked for fishing and is a refuge for many ducks and Canada geese.The lake is so-named due to its proximity to Muhlenberg...
, located near the college in Allentown, is named in his honor.
Other sources
- Mann, William J. Life and Times of Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, Philadelphia: G.W. Frederick. 1888
- Wolf, Edmund Jacob. The Lutherans in America; a story of struggle, progress, influence and marvelous growth, New York: J.A. Hill. 1889
- Frick, William K. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, Patriarch of the Lutheran Church in America, Lutheran Publication Society, 1902
External links
- Biographical Sketches of memorable Christians of the Past, Anglican Church
- Evangelical Lutheran Ministerium
- Early Evangelical Lutheran Heroes in America, Holy Trinity, New Rochelle, NY