My Genealogy Hound

CALIVN M. De LONG, pastor of the New Goshenhoppen Reformed church of East Greenville, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, which is one of the very oldest congregations in the United States, and possesses the oldest Reformed church record in the country, is widely and favorably known, is a graduate of the Reformed Theological Seminary at Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He was born July 7, 1876, in Maxatawny township, near Topton, Berks county, Pennsylvania, and is a son of the late Joseph De Long.

He was reared on the farm owned by his parents, and received his early education in the schools of his native township. Later this knowledge was supplemented by attendance at the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, from which he was graduated in the class of 1894. The two following years he was engaged as a teacher in the public schools, after which he again attended the Normal School and prepared for college, at the same time graduating in the scientific course. In the fall of 1897 he entered Franklin and Marshall College, from which he was graduated in June, 1900, at the head of his class. He also won first prize in the senior prize debate. Several months after his graduation he entered the Reformed Theological Seminary at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and at Christmas of the same year he was elected instructor of mathematics and natural science at Franklin and Marshall Academy, the duties of which position he discharged in connection with his theological work. Mr. De Long spent the summer of 1901 in special study at the University of Chicago, and during the same year was elected as professor of Latin at the Franklin and Marshall Academy, at the same time carrying on his seminary work.

While a student of the Reformed Theological Seminary. Mr. De Long served one summer as supply pastor of the St. Stephen’s Reformed church, Reading, Pennsylvania. On Sunday forenoon, November 30, 1902, the New Goshenhoppen Reformed Congregation held an election at which they decided to instruct the consistory to wait for the licentiation of Calvin M. De Long, with whom arrangements had been made to preach for them every other Sunday until his ordination. Since Mr. De Long accepted the pastorate of the church the work has progressed in a remarkably gratifying manner, and many additions have been made to the membership roll, which now numbers about one thousand. Mr. De Long is an able and fluent speaker, and his sermons possess the power of giving strength and comfort to the members of his flock, and at the same time touching the hearts of those present who are not followers of the Divine Master. During the present year (1904) he enjoyed a European trip of three months duration, during which time he studied at the University of Berlin, and traveled through Germany, Switzerland, France and England, thereby increasing his store of knowledge in a large degree.