Herbert B. Zechman
After his brother Edward's death, the Rev. Herbert B. Zechman accepted the charge. He left the New Berlin Charge of the Evangelical and Reformed Church to begin his work in the Beaver Springs Charge in October, 1937.
A graduate of Lebanon Valley College, Annville, PA, in 1926, and of Central Theological Seminary, Dayton, OH, the Rev. Herbert B. Zechman, his wife, and small daughter, Carol Louise, moved to Beaver Springs on December 1, 1937. A pastor in the true sense of the word, Mr. Zechman labored assiduously to guide his parishioners into a deeper commitment to Christ. Where warnings were needed he uttered them fearlessly; where sympathy and kindly help were in order he did not spare himself. He was very much interested in the improvement of the six churches which he served so well. Consequently all the churches, St. Paul's, Beavertown, Christ, Beaver Springs, Mt. Bethel, McClure, Grace Troxelville, Samuel's R. D. 1, McClure, and St. John's R.D. 2, McClure, were all in excellent shape when he left.
Desiring to honor the mothers and daughters and to foster a wider acquaintance among the members of the six churches, he instituted an annual Mother and Daughter Banquet. Outstanding speakers were secured to address the group and attendance reached over 200. A picture of the women in their bridal gowns was taken at such an event about 1954. At the same time a Father and Son Banquet was started by Mr. Zechman and carried along lines similar to the women's affair.
In September of 1950, Pastor Zechman informed the consistory that a new room in the new building at the Phoebe Home, Allentown, would be "dedicated" to the Beaver Springs Charge providing all the churches pay their full amount. A few of the causes to which the church made contributions while Mr. Zechman was pastor include: Bethany Children's Home, Mission schoolhouse, Schebogan, WI The Penna. Temperance Society, Phoebe Home, a burned church in Altoona, the Volunteer Service Center at Pottstown, PA, the Cemetery Association, the United Church Center, Harrisburg, PA, and more.
On Apriil 21, 1957, Rev. Dr. Zechman informed us of a desire to split the charge and he remain as the "west half" minister. He stated that six churches were too much on him. A new parsonage of brick was also suggested at this meeting. The consistory was not favorable to this division of the charge. Their desire at present was "to leave Pastor Zechman go to a church he has been asked to serve and remain combined with the charge as a whole". However a vote was held in June of 1958 on whether to split the charge and make Samuel's, Mt. Bethel and St. John's one charge. By secret ballot the vote was six in favor four against. Rev. Bert Wynn, president of the Central Pennsylvania Synod, was present at a special meeting Aug. 13, 1958, to talk about splitting the charge. He pointed out that no minister would serve six churches in modern times. He also said that we were paying less support to our church than most other denominations. A congregational vote on the division of the Beaver Springs Charge was held August 31, 1958, with 58 voting in favor and 19 opposed.
Rev. Zechman accepted a call to the Lenhartsville charge in September, 1958. The success of Rev. Herbert Zechman's pastorate is attested to by an increase in his salary from $2000.00 when he came to $4800.00 in 1955 and an increase in membership as his yearly reports show.