It was perfect weather for the Slatington History Preservation Committee as they held its third cemetery walk at the Slatedale Cemetery, “A Walk Among Slatedale Notables” on Saturday. Approximately 40 to 50 people attended the event, enjoying the stories of some of the Slatedale area’s most prominent residents buried in the Slatedale Cemetery.

Judy Gellis-Snyder, president of the Preservation Committee, led the event.

“We appreciate all the donations that we have received for our museum,” Gellis-Snyder said. “We do not, at this time, have a place, but we are working on that. So thank you all for all the support you have given us through the years, and for all the donations.”

Richard “Dick” Smith, president of the Slatedale Cemetery Board, and a former high school teacher, athletic director, and coach at the former Slatington High School, was the first to speak, giving a brief history of the cemetery.

In 1857, the United Methodist Church was founded. In 1859, the Methodist Episcopal Church, also known as the “M-E” church, was formed. And in 1888, Holy Trinity Church was founded, a combination of Reformed and Lutheran churches.

“The ME Church was located on what is now Brown Street, down at the end of the creek,” Smith said. “That land was then sold to the Shenton Land Company. A cemetery that was at that location needed to be relocated. The United Methodist Church had purchased 4 acres of land along Brown Street to be used as a cemetery. In 1910, 188 bodies plus 32 unidentified bodies were transported from the old cemetery to the present one. In 1992, more land was purchased, and that is the cemetery as it is now.”

Gellis-Snyder spoke about farmer and distillery operator Wilson German (1844-1921). Tim Snyder shared the history of Joseph German (1822-1894), who was a farmer and provided the land for Trinity Lutheran Church. Snyder also spoke about Reuben Kern (1819-1894), the oldest Kern family member buried at Slatedale Cemetery.

Mike Hoffman gave the histories and families of Peter Kern (1939-2018), a very well-known flutist and graduate of the Curtis Institute and member of the Puerto Rico Symphony; as well as Dr. Ralph Sowden, a school board president and member of the Slatedale Band and the Citizens Fire Company. Gellis-Snyder shared the history of James P. Kern (1872-1946), owner of J.P. Kern Slate Company and organizer of the Slatedale Cemetery.

Robert Stettner gave a talk about Francis Shenton (1826-1879), who owned the Locke Slate Company and was Superintendent of the Slatedale Union Sunday School.

The Slatington History Preservation Committee is working on publishing three more books in addition to the book on the 1969 Slatington High School Football Team. One will be on the 40th anniversary of the 1982 Northern Lehigh High School state runner-up basketball team, a book about Smith Hall, and a book about the Berksie Railroad.

For more information, contact Snyder at 610-767-5935, timjudy@yahoo.com, or visit them on Facebook.