Edward H. Zechman
From May, 1920 until June 8, 1921 the charge was without a pastor. The minutes of a sister church of April 17, 1921, indicate that Rev. Edward Zechman came to preach a trial sermon, but evidently no one came out because of inclement weather. The Consistory decided to pay his expenses any way.
Rev. Edward H. Zechman, the eldest of twelve children, three of whom became ministers, born to Darius and Rosa Zechman, was born in Obold, Berks County, PA, June 1, 1882. His parents moved to Sinking Spring in 1891, where he attended the grade schools. He learned the painting trade from his father, but when he became 21 he enrolled as a high school pupil and received one of the first high school diplomas in the borough system. After graduating from Kutztown Teacher's College in 1906, he taught at Vinemont, West Reading and Womelsdorf, PA. He was always active in church work and served for some years as superintendent of St. John's Sunday School in Sinking Spring. Further studies included Central Theological Seminary, Lancaster Theological Seminary and Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, PA. His active ministry extended from January 1, 1913, until his death in Beaver Springs, June 8, 1937. He served churches in Nittany Valley, Howard, PA, St. Paul's Church Manheim, PA, and Beaver Springs, where he served for 16 years. In 1928 he was president of West Susquehanna Classis and a delegate to General Synod. He was affiliated with the Snyder County Association for Christian Education for many years and was its treasurer at the time of his death.
Many times the coming of a new minister generates new activity within the churches, as a result of which many things are accomplished. This was true of the Beaver Springs Charge when Pastor Zechman came. Pastor Zechman served the Beaver Springs Charge in the heart of the depresssion and in 1932 he asked to have his salary reduced. A request which the consistory granted. In that same year it was decided to pay the pastor through a joint treasurer rather than have, each church pay him separately as was done until this time. It was during his pastorate that the union between the Reformed Church and the Evangelical Synod of North America became, a reality. This union was consumated June 26, 1934. We then became the Evangelical and Reformed Church.
In 1936, the congregation voted to use the duplex envelope system. Several months later it was voted to use the quarterly envelopes rather than the bi-weekly duplex. In this same year a failing heart confined Pastor Zechman to home and bed. After six months of illess, death claimed him on June 8, 1937. His widow, Mrs. Julia Zechman continued to reside in Beaver Springs after his death.
During his pastorate Pastor Zechman baptized 656, confirmed 579, and had had 163 weddings and 374 funerals. Funeral services were held for him in Christ Church, Beaver Springs, PA, June 12, 1937, at 2 p.m. Rev. H. G. Snyder, a former minister of the charge, and then president of West Susquehanna Classis officiated and preached the sermon, assisted by Dr. H. H. Rupp, Rev. James B. Musser and Dr. S. N. Carpenter of the St. John's Lutheran Church, president of the local Ministerium. His body was laid to rest in the Beaver Springs Cemetery. After Mr. Zechman's death the charge was vacant for 5 months, during which time it was supplied by Rev. George Fetterolf, a native of Snyder County and son of the charge. It was then that Rev. Herbert B. Zechman, a younger brother of Edward, accepted the charge.