Pilgerhaus website
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Do you love Lititz? Does the idea of living in historic downtown Lititz
appeal to you? You may be interested in the unique condominium apartment
development called Pilgerhaus (Pilgrim’s House). Built using the original stone
walls on the site of the first house in Lititz, these luxury apartments will
combine beautiful architecture and sustainable design. The green building
techniques used for this project just makes sense.
A group of Lititz investors purchased this property with the intent of
developing a first class condominium project. Working with mostly local
designers and contractors, we will design and build a quality project at an
attractive price. We believe the demand for these 12 condominium apartments will
be high. Consequently, we encourage perspective residents to sign up for the
newsletter that will provide project updates.
Residents who make an early decision to purchase will be able to make interior
design selections that won’t be available to others. So if you have any interest
whatsoever, please sign up below for the free and no obligation newsletter. We
won’t call on you nor do anything with your email address except send you the
newsletter.
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History (subpage)
HISTORY OF THE PILGERHAUS
By Bill Oehme
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original house soon to come from Bill Oehme)
In 1754, George Klein built a two-story stone house, at 127 East Main Street,
which became the “Pilgerhaus,” or “Pilgrim’s House.” This was the first house in
Lititz. This house was built by Mr. Klein before the transfer of land from him
to the Moravian Church. He built it without having any definite purpose in mind
for it. This house afterwards gave the direction to the main street of the
village, and accounts for the fact that it does not run due East and West. It
was used as a dwelling for ministers, sisters and congregational meetings. Bro.
George Nixdorf, of Lancaster, was the first occupant. It was in this building
that the first settlers of Zinzendorf’s Congregation village, three families
from Donegal and four from Bethel, found refuge when they fled here to escape
Indian raids. A portion of the wall of this first house was left standing when
the building was removed in 1866, and now forms part of the rear wall of the
present three-story brick building which stands on its site at 125 to 129 East
Main Street. (a) (d)
From August 13 to 17, 1754, a Provincial Synod was held in the stone house, with
Bishop August Spangenburg presiding. The general superintendent of the Country
Congregations had been committed to Bishop Matthew Hehl, and as the new
settlement was to be a center for them, it might have been assumed that Hehl
should take up his residence here. The question, however, was brought up and
discussed at a Conference of the Elders held the day after the meeting of the
Synod on August 18, 1754. Bishop Spangenberg stated the reasons pro and con for
his own appointment, and also the pros and cons for Bishop Peter Boehler’s or
Hehl’s appointment. It was decided the decision should be left to the lot. Four
folded slips of paper were provided. On one was written the Latin word “est”,
meaning “he is the one.” The others were left blank It was possible that none of
them would be designated. After fervent prayer, each one took a slip. Bishop
Hehl received the one with “est.” He was accordingly charged with the
organization and guidance of the new settlement, in external as well as
spiritual affairs, and also the supervision of the various country churches. On
November 9, 1754, he arrived from Bethlehem and took up residence in Klein’s
stone house, which it was the custom thereafter to call the Pilgerhaus.
In 1760, the Congregational Store was located in the Pilgerhaus. It remained
there until 1764, when it moved across the street to 120 East Main Street, the
house built in 1762 by Mathias Schady. John Fenstermacher was the first manager.
In 1767, Jasper Payne came to Lititz from Philadelphia to manage the store. (a)
The Pilgerhaus was also the very first hotel in Lititz, started by the Moravian
Brethren in 1762. The Zum Anker, or “Sign of the Anchor,” was originally located
in George Klein’s stone house. The first innkeeper, who was paid by the
Moravians, was the well-liked Brother Andrew Horn, who received his license on
February 8, 1762. In 1764, Horn moved the inn to a newly constructed two-story
frame building on the southeast corner of Broad and Main Streets and what is
today known as the General Sutter Inn. (b)
David Tannenberg moved to Lititz in 1765 because he couldn’t take the life style
in Bethlehem. He set up his shop in a stone building to the rear of the
Pilgerhaus. The individual trade shops were behind the residences and opened
onto North Lane. Tannenberg was America’s first full-time organ builder. He
constructed about forty-five instruments. He continued to build organs until
falling off scaffolding to his death while installing an instrument for the
Lutheran Church in York in 1804. (c)
From 1862 to 1878, 125 to 129 E. Main St. was a school for girls. In 1855, Rev.
Julius Theodore Beckler was principal of Linden Hall. In 1862, during the Civil
War, the enrollment at the school diminished and Beckler was dismissed. After
his dismissal, he started Sunnyside College for Girls. The school was greatly
objected to by the Provincial Elders Conference, because of its possible injury
to Linden Hall. In order to afford better accommodations for the young ladies,
the present commodious edifice was erected in 1867, five years after the school
opened. He replaced the two-story stone Pilgerhaus with the current three-story
brick building (except for the rear stone wall). A third floor was added. In the
back, you can still see the first and second floor made of stone, while the
third is made of brick. On the second floor, a door led to an extensive balcony
overlooking the main street, accessible to the young ladies at all times during
the hours of recess. The principal, the Rev. Julius T. Beckler, lived next door
in the Warden House. Theodora Beckler was the lady principal. Julius wanted his
building to be taller than Linden Hall, so he added a widow’s walk on top.
Later, Linden Hall added two widow’s walks of their own. (c) (e) (f)
J. W. G. Hershey added the two wings to the back of the building. He kept horses
in a barn where the garages are now located. That was the area where the spring
was located. Old Lititz maps show a small stream running from the spring to
Lititz Run.
During World War II, the basement was designated an Air Raid Shelter. Abe
Hershey was Chief Air Warden and supplies were stored in the basement. Abe
purchased the building from his mother’s estate in 1952. (g)
Sources:
(a) A View from Main Street by Gladys J. F. Crowl—Lititz 250th Book
(b) Hotels Spring to Life by Aaron E. Fry—Lititz 250th Book
(c) A Walk Down Main Street by Dale Shelley
(d) Historical and Pictoral Lititz by John G. Zook 1905
(e) Circular of Sunnyside College from the Moravian Church Archives
(f) Education-The Pride of Our Community by Dale Shelley—Lititz 250th Book
(g) Conversation with Henny Hershey
Sustainable Design (subpage)
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Carpentry
4" high MDF baseboard trim
2 3/4" MDF door/window trim
Birch kitchen cabinets from Armstrong Cabinets, Branford oak in Premier
construction Series, Siena 068
Plastic laminate countertops, Formica or Wilson Art
Bathroom vanities with Marblite tops from Armstrong Cabinets
Doors and Hardware
6 panel painted solid core doors
Lever locksets
Painting & Wall Coverings
Walls and ceilings painted same color and trim painted standard accent color
Flooring
25 ounce BCF nylon carpet with 6 pound Rebond pad
Mannington Venture vinyl flooring in kitchen and baths
Appliances
GE dishwasher
GE range
GE Microwave with charcoal air filter and fan
Plumbing
Dayton 23322 stainless steel kitchen sink with Moen 7425 faucets
Gerber 21-502 round bowl toilets
Moen L2352 shower faucets
Fiberglass bath/shower units
HVAC
Electric heat pump unit with auxilary electric back-up heat and residential
thermostat
Bathroom exhaust fan
Dryer vent with dryer box
Electric
Foyer light fixture
Pendant dining fixture
Kitchen light fixture
Bedroom switched receptacles
Living room switched receptacles
Balcony/deck light & receptacle
Bathroom light/exhaust fan combo with timer on fan
CATV & phone in each bedroom, kitchen and living room
Fire alarm system
Alternate Upgrades: prices for various options will be available
soon
Carpentry
8" high MDF trim
MDF crown molding
Cherry trim throughout, including crown molding
Cherry kitchen cabinets
Taller kitchen wall cabinets
Corian countertops
Granite countertops
Doors and Hardware
Hardwood doors
Upgraded door hardware
Mirrored bedroom closet doors
Card access entrance lockset and card reader
Painting & Wall Coverings
Ceilings painted different color
Accent wall of 14' x 9'
Vinyl wall coverings
Flooring
Upgraded carpet
Ceramic tile in bath
Ceramic tile in kitchen
Ceramic tile shower/bath walls
Hardwood flooring throughout
Appliances
Bosch dishwasher
Glass top range
Gas range
Upgraded microwave
Refrigerator
Washer and dryer
Electric fireplace
Gas fireplace
Plumbing
Corian kitchen sinks
Enamel kitchen sink
Upgraded toilet
Garbage disposal
Whirlpool tub
Added bathroom fixtures in S units
Ultra low flow plumbing fixtures
HVAC
Outside air energy recovery unit
Kitchen exhaust fan
Electric
Upgraded light fixtures
Ceiling fan
Add power receptacle
Add phone/data line
Security system
Links about Lititz (subpage)
http://www.lititzpa.com/ Venture Lititz website
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lititz Wikipedia article about Lititz
http://www.co.lancaster.pa.us/lititz/site/default.asp Lititz Borough official
website
http://www.lititzspringspark.org/ Lititz Springs Park website
http://www.lititzlibrary.org/lititz/site/default.asp Lititz Library website
http://www.lititzcommunitycenter.org/ Lititz Rec Center website
http://www.lititzhistoricalfoundation.com/ Lititz Historical Foundation website
http://www.lititzmoravian.org/ Lititz Moravian Church website
http://photos.lititzrecord.com/mycapture/index.asp Lititz Record-Express
newspaper
http://www.lititzwatchtechnicum.org/ Lititz Watch Technicum website
http://www.lindenhall.org/ Linden Hall School for Girls website
http://www.lititzwatch.com/ Lititz Watch Company website
http://www.juliussturgis.com/ Sturgis Pretzel Bakery
http://www.wilburchocolate.com/ Wilbur Chocolate Candy Museum
http://www.thenorthstaroflititz.com/ The North Star of Lititz website
http://www.chocolatelititz.com/ Café Chocolate website
http://writertotheworld.com/lititz-my-home-away-from-home/ Travel article about
Lititz
http://writertotheworld.com/wonderful-time-in-lititz/ Travel article about
Lititz
Bed and Breakfasts nearby:
http://www.aldenhouse.com/ Alden House about a block away
http://www.lititzhouse.com/ Lititz House about 5 blocks away
http://www.speedwellforge.com/ Speedwell Forge, about 4 miles into the country
http://www.swisswoods.com/ Swiss Woods, about 4 miles into the country
Architectural Plans (subpage)
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Site Plans (subpage)
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