CLARENCE, NEW YORK

The church at Clarence Centre was started by a few families coming in from Pennsylvania in 1826. The first bishop or overseer was Peter Rhodes, who was ordained in 1872 and died in 1901. I think their father was one of the pioneer ministers who came from Pennsylvania. Mrs. A. J. Heise told me Bishop Peter Cober used to make that one of his stopping places when on his horseback tours to Pennsylvania and used to hold services in his house and Love feast in the barns. And the same could be said of the ministering brethren that came from the United States, namely, Henry Engle, Jesse Engle, John Gish, Samuel Zook from Pennsylvania, Martin Hoover from Indiana, Levi Lukenbach from Ohio and no doubt others of whom we have no record. Deacon Christopher Heise of Markham district married Leah Rhodes, who was a sister of Bishop Peter Rhodes. Daniel V. Heise, a brother, married Leah's sister and was a minister at that place until his death. Bishop Bert Sherk of Bertie district also had oversight of Clarence Centre until his health failed and was no longer able to perform his duties. Brother William Charlton was elected as bishop and has the oversight at this time. Brother John N. Hostetter is pastor at Clarence Centre at present and is also editor of the church paper, the Evangelical Visitor.