The Rev. William Henry Luckenbach, D.D. was born in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, April 13, 1828. He was the eldest of a large family of children of George B. and Julia Bisel Luckenbach. The family came from Moravian stock but the father, a skilled cabinet maker, was a devout Lutheran. Soon after the birth of the future cleric, the family moved to Philadelphia where the boy later assisted his father in the family business.
The elder Luckenbach did not look with favor on his son's leaning toward the ministry, and the boy was unable to make any moves in this direction until he had attained his majority. He then entered Dickinson College, taking the classical and theological courses and, in 1855, was licensed to preach by the Synod of East Pennsylvania.
He accepted a call to Lockport, New York, that same year and in 1857, was ordained to the Ministry by the Hartwick Synod at a meeting held in Zion Lutheran Church, Athens, New York. That same year he married Mary B. Compton of Lockport. In the autumn of that same year he was called to St. Luke's Church, Philadelphia, where he remained until 1861 when he was called to Third Evangelical Lutheran Church in the village of Rhinebeck, New York.
From 1866 until 1868 he served the church at Canajoharie, New York, and then had charge of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Red Hook, New York until 1872. He then went to Hagerstown, Maryland, where he remained until 1875, and from there to Taneytown, Maryland until 1878. From Taneytown he came to Christ's Lutheran Church of Germantown (Viewmonte) where he remained until failing health forced his retirement from active work in 1894.
This man was one of the outstanding orators of his, or any other, time in Lutheran circles in this part of the Hudson Valley. His marked abilities along this, and many other lines, brought him well deserved recognition in the form of an M.A. Degree from Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and a D.D. degree from Wittenberg College, Springfield, Ohio. He was also Life Director of the American Tract Society as well as Life Director of the American Bible Society. From 1886 until his death ten years later he served as President of the New York and New Jersey Synod of the Lutheran Church.
A handsome gold watch, presented to him in recognition of his services to the Synod, bears the following inscription: Presented to William H. Luckenbach, D.D. by members of the New York and New Jersey Synod, Spruce Run, New Jersey, October 15, 1883."
A gifted writer as well as orator, Luckenbach was author of many works of both prose and verse. One of his books, "The Folly of Profanity" is said to have been a work unique in its field and to have won wide acclaim. In 1890 he compiled a book, ''Song Stories for Little People," this book was published by Funk and Wagnalls and is a collector's item today.
Another of his poems, "The Dear Old Rustic Gate" was set to music and bears the copyright date of 1892. Another of his poetical works won him a piano as an award.
The strain of 40 years of service in the ministry began to exact their toll, and a paralytic seizure, suffered one morning just after service, warned Dr. Luckenbach that his active days in the ministry were nearly over.
He resigned from his charge at Viewmonte and moved to Hudson, New York where he made his home until successive attacks of his illness ended his earthly career. He died February 23, 1896.
Funeral services were held from St. John's Lutheran Church, Hudson, New York, February 27, 1896. Members of the Lutheran Clergy from far and near were in attendance to pay their final respects to their former leader, and a host of friends and relatives to pay their last homage to a loved one and friend.
Rev. William Hull of Albany preached the sermon and had for his text: "And the King said unto his servants, know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel." The funeral oration was, in itself a deeply moving tribute to the memory and abilities of the deceased.
The hymn that closed the services was an original composition by the departed, "Still be with me, dear Lord thro' all the day."
At the close of the services Dr. Luckenbach's mortal remains were taken to Germantown, New York and there interred in the cemetery of Christ's Lutheran Church, the church to which he had devoted the final sixteen years of his career as an active minister of God.
Source: Christ's Lutheran Church, Germantown, New York 250th Anniversary Booklet (1710-1960), p.38-40. Light edits by the Rev. Mark D. Isaacs, Ph.D.
The elder Luckenbach did not look with favor on his son's leaning toward the ministry, and the boy was unable to make any moves in this direction until he had attained his majority. He then entered Dickinson College, taking the classical and theological courses and, in 1855, was licensed to preach by the Synod of East Pennsylvania.
He accepted a call to Lockport, New York, that same year and in 1857, was ordained to the Ministry by the Hartwick Synod at a meeting held in Zion Lutheran Church, Athens, New York. That same year he married Mary B. Compton of Lockport. In the autumn of that same year he was called to St. Luke's Church, Philadelphia, where he remained until 1861 when he was called to Third Evangelical Lutheran Church in the village of Rhinebeck, New York.
From 1866 until 1868 he served the church at Canajoharie, New York, and then had charge of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Red Hook, New York until 1872. He then went to Hagerstown, Maryland, where he remained until 1875, and from there to Taneytown, Maryland until 1878. From Taneytown he came to Christ's Lutheran Church of Germantown (Viewmonte) where he remained until failing health forced his retirement from active work in 1894.
This man was one of the outstanding orators of his, or any other, time in Lutheran circles in this part of the Hudson Valley. His marked abilities along this, and many other lines, brought him well deserved recognition in the form of an M.A. Degree from Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and a D.D. degree from Wittenberg College, Springfield, Ohio. He was also Life Director of the American Tract Society as well as Life Director of the American Bible Society. From 1886 until his death ten years later he served as President of the New York and New Jersey Synod of the Lutheran Church.
A handsome gold watch, presented to him in recognition of his services to the Synod, bears the following inscription: Presented to William H. Luckenbach, D.D. by members of the New York and New Jersey Synod, Spruce Run, New Jersey, October 15, 1883."
A gifted writer as well as orator, Luckenbach was author of many works of both prose and verse. One of his books, "The Folly of Profanity" is said to have been a work unique in its field and to have won wide acclaim. In 1890 he compiled a book, ''Song Stories for Little People," this book was published by Funk and Wagnalls and is a collector's item today.
Another of his poems, "The Dear Old Rustic Gate" was set to music and bears the copyright date of 1892. Another of his poetical works won him a piano as an award.
The strain of 40 years of service in the ministry began to exact their toll, and a paralytic seizure, suffered one morning just after service, warned Dr. Luckenbach that his active days in the ministry were nearly over.
He resigned from his charge at Viewmonte and moved to Hudson, New York where he made his home until successive attacks of his illness ended his earthly career. He died February 23, 1896.
Funeral services were held from St. John's Lutheran Church, Hudson, New York, February 27, 1896. Members of the Lutheran Clergy from far and near were in attendance to pay their final respects to their former leader, and a host of friends and relatives to pay their last homage to a loved one and friend.
Rev. William Hull of Albany preached the sermon and had for his text: "And the King said unto his servants, know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel." The funeral oration was, in itself a deeply moving tribute to the memory and abilities of the deceased.
The hymn that closed the services was an original composition by the departed, "Still be with me, dear Lord thro' all the day."
At the close of the services Dr. Luckenbach's mortal remains were taken to Germantown, New York and there interred in the cemetery of Christ's Lutheran Church, the church to which he had devoted the final sixteen years of his career as an active minister of God.
Source: Christ's Lutheran Church, Germantown, New York 250th Anniversary Booklet (1710-1960), p.38-40. Light edits by the Rev. Mark D. Isaacs, Ph.D.
The Rev. William Henry Luckenbach, D.D. was born in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, April 13, 1828. He was the eldest of a large family of children of George B. and Julia Bisel Luckenbach. The family came from Moravian stock but the father, a skilled cabinet maker, was a devout Lutheran. Soon after the birth of the future cleric, the family moved to Philadelphia where the boy later assisted his father in the family business.
The elder Luckenbach did not look with favor on his son's leaning toward the ministry, and the boy was unable to make any moves in this direction until he had attained his majority. He then entered Dickinson College, taking the classical and theological courses and, in 1855, was licensed to preach by the Synod of East Pennsylvania.
He accepted a call to Lockport, New York, that same year and in 1857, was ordained to the Ministry by the Hartwick Synod at a meeting held in Zion Lutheran Church, Athens, New York. That same year he married Mary B. Compton of Lockport. In the autumn of that same year he was called to St. Luke's Church, Philadelphia, where he remained until 1861 when he was called to Third Evangelical Lutheran Church in the village of Rhinebeck, New York.
From 1866 until 1868 he served the church at Canajoharie, New York, and then had charge of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Red Hook, New York until 1872. He then went to Hagerstown, Maryland, where he remained until 1875, and from there to Taneytown, Maryland until 1878. From Taneytown he came to Christ's Lutheran Church of Germantown (Viewmonte) where he remained until failing health forced his retirement from active work in 1894.
This man was one of the outstanding orators of his, or any other, time in Lutheran circles in this part of the Hudson Valley. His marked abilities along this, and many other lines, brought him well deserved recognition in the form of an M.A. Degree from Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and a D.D. degree from Wittenberg College, Springfield, Ohio. He was also Life Director of the American Tract Society as well as Life Director of the American Bible Society. From 1886 until his death ten years later he served as President of the New York and New Jersey Synod of the Lutheran Church.
A handsome gold watch, presented to him in recognition of his services to the Synod, bears the following inscription: Presented to William H. Luckenbach, D.D. by members of the New York and New Jersey Synod, Spruce Run, New Jersey, October 15, 1883."
A gifted writer as well as orator, Luckenbach was author of many works of both prose and verse. One of his books, "The Folly of Profanity" is said to have been a work unique in its field and to have won wide acclaim. In 1890 he compiled a book, ''Song Stories for Little People," this book was published by Funk and Wagnalls and is a collector's item today.
Another of his poems, "The Dear Old Rustic Gate" was set to music and bears the copyright date of 1892. Another of his poetical works won him a piano as an award.
The strain of 40 years of service in the ministry began to exact their toll, and a paralytic seizure, suffered one morning just after service, warned Dr. Luckenbach that his active days in the ministry were nearly over.
He resigned from his charge at Viewmonte and moved to Hudson, New York where he made his home until successive attacks of his illness ended his earthly career. He died February 23, 1896.
Funeral services were held from St. John's Lutheran Church, Hudson, New York, February 27, 1896. Members of the Lutheran Clergy from far and near were in attendance to pay their final respects to their former leader, and a host of friends and relatives to pay their last homage to a loved one and friend.
Rev. William Hull of Albany preached the sermon and had for his text: "And the King said unto his servants, know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel." The funeral oration was, in itself a deeply moving tribute to the memory and abilities of the deceased.
The hymn that closed the services was an original composition by the departed, "Still be with me, dear Lord thro' all the day."
At the close of the services Dr. Luckenbach's mortal remains were taken to Germantown, New York and there interred in the cemetery of Christ's Lutheran Church, the church to which he had devoted the final sixteen years of his career as an active minister of God.
Source: Christ's Lutheran Church, Germantown, New York 250th Anniversary Booklet (1710-1960), p.38-40. Light edits by the Rev. Mark D. Isaacs, Ph.D.
The elder Luckenbach did not look with favor on his son's leaning toward the ministry, and the boy was unable to make any moves in this direction until he had attained his majority. He then entered Dickinson College, taking the classical and theological courses and, in 1855, was licensed to preach by the Synod of East Pennsylvania.
He accepted a call to Lockport, New York, that same year and in 1857, was ordained to the Ministry by the Hartwick Synod at a meeting held in Zion Lutheran Church, Athens, New York. That same year he married Mary B. Compton of Lockport. In the autumn of that same year he was called to St. Luke's Church, Philadelphia, where he remained until 1861 when he was called to Third Evangelical Lutheran Church in the village of Rhinebeck, New York.
From 1866 until 1868 he served the church at Canajoharie, New York, and then had charge of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Red Hook, New York until 1872. He then went to Hagerstown, Maryland, where he remained until 1875, and from there to Taneytown, Maryland until 1878. From Taneytown he came to Christ's Lutheran Church of Germantown (Viewmonte) where he remained until failing health forced his retirement from active work in 1894.
This man was one of the outstanding orators of his, or any other, time in Lutheran circles in this part of the Hudson Valley. His marked abilities along this, and many other lines, brought him well deserved recognition in the form of an M.A. Degree from Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and a D.D. degree from Wittenberg College, Springfield, Ohio. He was also Life Director of the American Tract Society as well as Life Director of the American Bible Society. From 1886 until his death ten years later he served as President of the New York and New Jersey Synod of the Lutheran Church.
A handsome gold watch, presented to him in recognition of his services to the Synod, bears the following inscription: Presented to William H. Luckenbach, D.D. by members of the New York and New Jersey Synod, Spruce Run, New Jersey, October 15, 1883."
A gifted writer as well as orator, Luckenbach was author of many works of both prose and verse. One of his books, "The Folly of Profanity" is said to have been a work unique in its field and to have won wide acclaim. In 1890 he compiled a book, ''Song Stories for Little People," this book was published by Funk and Wagnalls and is a collector's item today.
Another of his poems, "The Dear Old Rustic Gate" was set to music and bears the copyright date of 1892. Another of his poetical works won him a piano as an award.
The strain of 40 years of service in the ministry began to exact their toll, and a paralytic seizure, suffered one morning just after service, warned Dr. Luckenbach that his active days in the ministry were nearly over.
He resigned from his charge at Viewmonte and moved to Hudson, New York where he made his home until successive attacks of his illness ended his earthly career. He died February 23, 1896.
Funeral services were held from St. John's Lutheran Church, Hudson, New York, February 27, 1896. Members of the Lutheran Clergy from far and near were in attendance to pay their final respects to their former leader, and a host of friends and relatives to pay their last homage to a loved one and friend.
Rev. William Hull of Albany preached the sermon and had for his text: "And the King said unto his servants, know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel." The funeral oration was, in itself a deeply moving tribute to the memory and abilities of the deceased.
The hymn that closed the services was an original composition by the departed, "Still be with me, dear Lord thro' all the day."
At the close of the services Dr. Luckenbach's mortal remains were taken to Germantown, New York and there interred in the cemetery of Christ's Lutheran Church, the church to which he had devoted the final sixteen years of his career as an active minister of God.
Source: Christ's Lutheran Church, Germantown, New York 250th Anniversary Booklet (1710-1960), p.38-40. Light edits by the Rev. Mark D. Isaacs, Ph.D.
Advertisement
Advertisement
