REV. L. NEVIN WILSON, A. M. October 1, 1915 --- |
After a vacancy of thirteen months, the Wilhelm Charge called the present pastor, Rev. L. Nevin Wilson. Prior to his coming into this field, he served two other Charges, one at Toms Brook, Virginia, and one at Brunswick, Maryland. The formed field was in a farming community, and the latter in a railroad town. Coming to the Wilhelm Charge, he found four distinct classes of people with whom to deal: farmers, villagers, miners, and lumbermen. These offer a mixed problem in the work of the Church, and furnish the pastor with a rich experience in the art of dealing with men.
The subject of this sketch was born in Fulton County, Illinois, in the year 1879. He is the oldest son of McComron C. and Sarah E. Wilson. At an early age he moved with his parents to Kansas, where he received his elementary training in the public schools. He prepared for College in the Hiawatha, Kansas, Academy. In 1899, he entered Franklin and Marshall College, at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, graduating in 1903. While at College, he took an active part in literary work, and for four years was a member of a dramatic organization called the Green Room Club. After completing his College work, he entered the Theological Seminary at Lancaster, where he studied theology toe two years. Then he obtained leave of absence to teach in Interior Academy, located at Dakota, Illinois. The second year at Interior Academy, he became principal of the school. Two years he was instructor of science in Hiawatha Academy, and for one year he was principal of the Marysville, Kansas, High School.
In 1910, Mr. Wilson resumed his work at the Seminary, completing the course the following year. While in the Seminary he received the prize for the best assay in Church History. In 1912, Franklin and Marshall College conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts for the post-graduate work in Biology and History. He is the author of several booklets, among which are: "Into the Deep, Beggar and Monk, A Manual of Religious Instruction for Children, and Luther and the German Reformation". He was also the editor and manager of "The Somerset Classis Visitor", a monthly paper published in the interests of Somerset Classis.
In 1905, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage with Miss Anna Mae Weaver, of Lancaster. They are the parents of one son, Paul Nevin. Mrs Wilson is active in Sunday School and Church work, and is President of the Womans Missionary Society.
As a boy, Mr. Wilson entered a printing establishment to learn the trade. He became proficient at sticking type and making pi, and in continuing his studies for the ministry, never thought of anything coming out of his early training as a printer. But early impressions are not easily erased, and the typographical art has never lost its fascination. During his pastorate at Toms Brook, he purchased a small outfit with which he printed a parish paper. That was the beginning of "The Wilhelm Press", a small office which he conducts at St. Paul, where he has two young ladies in his employ and prints the "Classis Visitor", of which he is editor, and other work that is presented. It may be of interest to know that the history is printed in the St. Paul print shop.
The work of the Charge has been advanced during the present pastorate. About one hundred persons have been added to the membership of the Charge. Missionary Societies have been organized. Teach training classes have been re-decorated and new fences have been built about most of the property. A hydraulic water system has been installed in the parsonage, and new steam heating plant is about to be installed in the Church.
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