Rev. Frederick William Tuerk^{[1, 2]}

1820 - 1901  (81 years)

• Name	Frederick William Tuerk
  Prefix	Rev.
  Born	23 Feb 1820	Rade, Dusseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany   [1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11]
  Gender	Male
  Immigration	1849	, Ontario, Canada   [12]
  Citizenship	1859	, Ontario, Canada   [12]
  FindAGrave	https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/166534569
  Name	F. W. Tuerk
  Occupation	1861	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [10]
  	Minister
  Residence	1861	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [10]
  	[Member of New Jersulem Religion]
  Occupation	1871	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [8]
  	Minister
  Residence	1871	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [8]
  	[Member of New Jersulem Religion]
  Occupation	1881	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [9]
  	Minister
  Residence	1881	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [9]
  	Swedenborgian
  Occupation	1891	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [11]
  	Preacher
  Residence	1891	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [11]
  	Swedenborgian
  Residence	1897	214 Queen St. S., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  		Kitchener,Tuerk,F.W.-residence-busyberlin1897.jpg Residence of Re. F. W. Tuerk - From: Busy Berlin Jubilee Souvenir 1897, published by Berlin News-Record
  Occupation	1901	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [4]
  	Clergyman
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-27503
  Died	3 Jul 1901	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [5]
  	Cause: heart failure
  Buried	Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [5]
  Person ID	I27503	Generations
  Last Modified	25 Apr 2024

  
  

  Father	Gottlieb Tuerk,   b. Abt 1806, Rade, Prussia, Germany ,   d. Yes, date unknown
  Mother	Wilhelmina Vollman,   b. Abt 1806, Rade, Prussia, Germany ,   d. Yes, date unknown
  Family ID	F28677	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 1	Maria Sch. Eberhard,   b. 5 Apr 1834, Kappeln, , Bern, Switzerland ,   d. 30 Jan 1917, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 82 years)
  Married	19 Jun 1884	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [7]
  Last Modified	26 Apr 2024
  Family ID	F7165	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 2	Lisetta Jellinghaus,   b. 30 Oct 1816, , Germany ,   d. 27 Oct 1882, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 65 years)
  Children	1. Ida Christine Tuerk,   b. 12 Jan 1844, Zweibrücken, , Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany ,   d. 23 Oct 1901  (Age 57 years)   2. Frederick William "Fred" Tuerk,   b. 22 Nov 1844, , Prussia, Germany ,   d. 29 Apr 1916, Chicago, Cook, Illinois, United States  (Age 71 years)   3. Charles Emil Tuerk,   b. 3 Dec 1847, Elberfeld, Prussia, Germany ,   d. Yes, date unknown   4. August Heinrich Tuerk,   b. 25 Sep 1849, Cumberland, Allegany, Maryland, USA ,   d. 9 May 1888, Chicago, Cook, Illinois, United States  (Age 38 years)   5. Albert Tuerk,   b. 14 Oct 1851, Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, USA ,   d. Yes, date unknown   6. Rudolph Tuerk,   b. 1853, , Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown   7. Gustav Adolph Tuerk,   b. 23 Aug 1854, , Ontario, Canada ,   d. 1934  (Age 79 years)   8. Louis Emanuel Tuerk,   b. 22 Aug 1856, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown   9. Samuel Obidjah Tuerk,   b. 1859, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 8 Apr 1916, Fulton, Oswego, New York, USA  (Age 57 years)
  Last Modified	26 Apr 2024
  Family ID	F7166	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Photos » Slide Show		F. W. Tuerk From the Daily Telegraph Newspaper 4 Jul 1901
  		Rev. Frederick William Tuerk ebay 2020
  		Rev. Frederick William Tuerk Ray Ruddy Collection

  
  

• Notes

  Carmel Church of the New Jerusalem There was a split in the Kitchener Swedenborgian congregation on September 18, 1891. One group, known as the Convention Church, continued to worship in the stone Swedenborgian Church, located at the corner of King and Water Streets, with Rev. F.W. Tuerk as pastor. The other group met in private homes until their new frame church, known as the Carmel Church Society, was erected in 1892 at 820 King Street West. A house at the corner of Shanley and Andrew Streets in Berlin was used as a school until school rooms were ready in the building at 820 King West. Rev. Frederick E. Waelchli was the first Pastor. The congregation called itself The Academy of the New Church in Berlin, Canada, until 1897 when its name was changed to The Carmel Church of the New Jerusalem. The church was seriously damaged by fire on October 19, 1929 but it was possible to effect repairs as well as some remodelling at the same time. A new church was built, and dedicated on November 25, 1962 at Caryndale near Strasburg; a church-operated elementary school is part of the church complex. The last service in the old church on King Street was held on November 11, 1962. The building was sold and razed in 1963; a Medical Arts Building is located on the property now. Carmel Church is a society of the New Church, and is now referred to as The Carmel Church of the General Church of the New Jerusalem. The headquarters of the church's parent body is in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania. The church's schools located there include a College, Theological School, High School and Elementary Schools. Waterloo County Churches A Research Guide To Churches Established Before 1900 By Rosemary Ambrose ___________________________ Church of the Good Shepherd The congregation began meeting in various locations as early as 1833, with Christian Enslin as leader. A small frame church was built on Frederick Street in 1842, and was called The Free Church; the congregations of four denominations held services in it. The seating space in the Free Church became insufficient for the growing Swedenborgian congregation with the result that land on the northwest corner of Church and Benton Streets was purchased in 1847 from Joseph E. Schneider. A frame church with a seating capacity of 150 was built in the same year; the church was called the New Church (Uttley 1937: 64). Several decades later a larger church was again needed. Land was purchased on the northeast corner of King and Water Streets where a new stone church was built and completed in 1870. The old church was sold to the congregation of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Serious differences resulted in a formal split in the Berlin Swedenborgian congregation on September 18, 1891. One group, the predecessor of this congregation, whose pastor was Rev. F.W. Tuerk (June 1857-July 3, 1901), continued to worship in the stone church. The other group, eventually to be known as the Carmel Church of the New Jerusalem, built their church in 1892 at 820 King Street West; their pastor was Rev. F.E. Waelchli. In 1935 the congregation purchased land on the corner of Queen Street North and Margaret Avenue as the site for a new church. The Church of the Good Shepherd is a Convention Church of the New Jerusalem. Waterloo County Churches A Research Guide To Churches Established Before 1900 By Rosemary Ambrose ____________________________ Death Death of Rev. F. W. Tuerk. Died Very Suddenly of Heait Failure on Wednesday Afternoon - A Brief Sketch of His Career Very great was the shock Berlin citizens received on Wednesday afternoon when the news spread throughout the town that Rev. F. W. Tuerk, the esteemed pastor of the New Jerusalem Church, was suddenly called by death, while enjoying comparatively good health and in the best of spirits. The reverend gentleman had just completed writing a letter to one of his sons and was passing from his library to the drawing room when he fell over and died almost instantly. His wife, who was the only other person in the house, heard him fall, and quickly went to the aid of her deceased husband. She applied some household restoratives, but saw it was of no avail, and immediately sent for the physician, who, on his arrival, pronounced death due to heart failure. The news spread very quickly and sorrowing friends went immediately to the aid of the family with expressions of regret and sympathy, and tangible offers of assistance. Rev. Mr. Tuerk was over 80 years of age, and up to a short time ago enjoyed the best of health, but lately his age has had a visible effect upon his former strong constitution and his earlier vitality had begun to take its departure. About a month ago he was granted a few months' rest to recuperate, by his congregation, and as a result was steadily regaining his usual strength, only to be cut down suddenly by the Grim Reaper, Death. SKETCH OF HIS LIFE Frederick William Tuerk was born on September 23rd, 1820, at Rade, in the District of Dusseldurf, In Rhenish Prussia, Germany, and was trained from a tender age to habits of piety and love for religion. In the year 1848, when many Germans were emigrating to America, a tract fell into his hands, entitled "The Night in the West," describing the sad state of religion in the western part of the United States, which made such an impression on him that he proposed to emigrate to the new world and labor there for the kingdom of God. He accordingly wrote to the author of the tract, Mr Rouschenbusch, who was editor of the German edition of the "American Messenger," published in New York by the American Tract Society, and who encouraged his coming to America, promising to secure a suitable position for him. Mr Tuerk with his wife and three little children arrived in New York on July 3rd, 1849. He was appointed colporteur and missionary in Pittsburg, Pa. From this city as a centre he undertook missionary trips and sold religious books and Bibles. During the month of (June 10, 1857), Mr. Tuerk had made his appearance in Cincinnati, at the meeting of the General Convention of the New Church. On the 12th of June he was baptized by the Rev. Thomas Worcester, President of the General Convention, and was ordained by him on the following Sunday. He was the first ordained minister of the New Church In all Canada, and at once began an active propaganda, preaching at various places in the province of Ontario. In the course of a few years he had organized societies in Hamburg, Wellesley, Toronto and Hamilton. The Society at Wellesley was formed immediately after his coming to Berlin, and in the fall of the next year (1858) he laid the corner-stone of a church which was dedicated in the following year. Mr. Tuerk has had pastoral care of this Society ever since, preaching regularly once a month. In the year 1862 the "Association of the New Jerusalem" was formed, with Mr. Tuerk as President. On the 12th of June, 1864, seven years after his ordination, he was consecrated an ordaining minister by the Rev. Thomas Worcester, assisted by the Rev. J. R. Hibbard and the Rev. J. P. Stuart, and he has been annually re-elected President of the Association. Mr Tuerk was one of the founders of the "German Missionary Union of the New Church," which was organized in Boston in the year 1872. He was elect-ed President, and has continued in this office. On April 1st, 1887, the Union began the publication of a monthly periodical (Neukirchenblatt), of which he was editor for live years, when he resigned, owing to pressure of other duties, and was appointed an associate editor. Twice in his long pastorate he has had ministers associated with him. The first was the Rev F. E. Waelchli, who acted as assistant Minister for a few years, and the second was the Rev L. H. Tafel, who was associate pastor for five years. Of Mr Tuerk's activity in behalf of the New Church, the records bear the following impressive witness: Up to the close of the year 1900 he had baptised 981 persons, of whom 741 were children and 240 adults, the latter, so far as is known, being all converts from the old Church. He confirmed 322 sons and daughters of New-Church parentage, married 254 couples, and ministered at 209 funerals, at nearly all of which he delivered funeral discourses. The deceased reverend was married about the year 1844; By this marriage eight children were born to them, one daughter and seven sons, viz: Ida Tuerk, Berlin; Fred W., Berlin; Chas. E., London, Eng., Aug. H., deceased; Albert, Chicago; G. Adolph, Berlin; Louis E., Chicago; Samuel 0., Fulton, Y. Y. The Rev. Air. Tuerk will be greatly missed by the, citizens of Berlin of every denomination for his genial and kind disposition and the great interest he took in matters which pertained to the welfare of the town. He was very liberal in his views and his discourses in his pulpit always called forth deep thought and earnest heart searching on the part of his hearers. Berlin loses one of its best and men extends its sincere regrets and deep sympathy to the family which mourn the loss of a husband and father, and to the congregation of New Jerusalem church, for the loss of its able and faithful pastor of over fifty years. The funeral will take place from his late residence, Queen Street, South, on Sunday, July 7th, 1901, at 2 o'clock p.m., to the New Jerusalem Temple for services, thence to Mount Hope Cemetery for interment. The Daily Telegraph Newspaper July 4, 1901 ___________________ Queen Street South, West Side. A frame building used as a tavern by Phineas Varnum and later the kitchen of the Gaukel Hotel. A frame building erected by Frederick Gaukel about 1833 as shelter for the considerable number of immigrants coming to Berlin at that time. In 1837 it was made into a dwelling for John Stroh, uncle of Jacob Stroh. Two children were born in this building, Katie, in 1838, (she married Jacob Oswald, still living, now 93 years of age), and Henry Stroh, born in 1840. Hall's Lane. A brick building erected about 1850. John Klein, father of John Klein of Buffalo, was the first occupant. Later the building was used as a printing office, first by the "Berlin Chronicle", William Jaffray editor and proprietor, and later by the "Berliner Journal", Rittinger & Motz. The site is now occupied by the Lockhart garage. The Franklin Hotel, a handsome, good-sized frame building, erected by Philip Roth about 1856. Successive hotel-keepers were John Klein, Levi Gaukel, Frederick Riegelman, who later moved to Buffalo, and Jacob Weber. Weber was occupant in 1874 when the hotel was burned down. The fire started in the barn at the rear of the hotel. The hotel shed, next south, extended, at right angles, from Queen Street to the barn. A garden. A one and one-half story frame building lengthwise with the street occupied by Christopher K. Nahrgang whose parents came from Hessen, Germany, about 1835. He was married to a Miss Zinkann of New Hamburg. A stone building used as a tailor shop by Mr. Nahrgang who was deaf and dumb. His wife helped him in the business. She lived to be 87. It was in this building that John Motz of the "Journal" and eventually County Sheriff, learned the tailoring trade. A one and one-half story dwelling, erected about 1857, occupied by George Fischer, barber, who had his shop on King Street. A later occupant was George Lutz, a cabinet maker in Hoffman's factory and after him Henry Schaefer's mother. A frame building lengthwise with the street, the church of the Evangelical denomination, erected in 1841. In 1866 it was replaced by the brick building still standing, now used as stores and upstairs dwellings. A one and one-half story frame building with kitchen at the rear erected by William Becking, wagonmaker, about 1848. Becking was noted as a hunter. White hare and passenger pigeons, practically extinct long ago, were abundant at that time. Becking's wagon-shop and lumber yard at the corner of John Street with the customary incline and stair to the second story of the shop. Up this incline the wagons were drawn to the paint shop. Valentine Gildner, at the corner of King and Benton Streets, did the blacksmith work for Becking's wagons. John Street. A one and one-half story house occupied by H. Baedecker in 1860 and later by Adam Doering. Rev. F. W. Tuerk's residence erected about 1860 by Henry Rothaermel, a carpenter. The matching and planing was all done by hand, slow but thorough work. Window sashes, panel doors and all other requirements were made in the same manner. A skilled workman at that time was expected to be able to do painting as well as carpenter work. A single room in the shape of a square turret on the ridge of the building was Rev. Tuerk's study. The house was up-hill about twenty feet above the street level so that the study on top gave a good outlook. The site is now occupied by the York Apartments. A frame building one and one-half story high. Nothing but a building used as an ashery between that and Joseph E. Schneider's house and farm buildings. REMINISCENCES OF BERLIN (NOW KITCHENER) By JACOB STROH Contributed by Joseph M. Snyder. Part I. Settlement - Early Villagers and Buildings, Waterloo Historical Society Annual Volume 1930 ______________ King Street Kitchener South Side Water to Gaukel Street.-At the Water Street corner stood, before 1867, a large frame building used mainly during the winter months as a drill shed for the local militia. The building was at one time used as a skating rink. Later it was moved to Woodside Park on Queen Street South and used for Township Fairs, and other purposes. Next easterly were two houses, one-story high, with gables toward King Street, owned by Rev. F. W. Tuerk and built about 1860. Next an unpainted frame building, used as a shop, stood on the westerly corner of Gaukel Street. At the rear of tills shop there was another frame building, moved there from Factory Street, used as a felt factory by Feick & Co„ the partners being Mr. Haller, Manager, and Mr. Feick. Later, when J. Y. Shantz took over the felt business the building was converted into dwellings and used for some time, when it was torn down. The site is now occupied by the Salvation Army Barracks. REMINISCENCES OF BERLIN (NOW KITCHENER) By JACOB STROH Contributed by Joseph M. Snyder. Part I. Settlement - Early Villagers and Buildings, Waterloo Historical Society Annual Volume 1930 __________________

  
  

• Sources

  [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), 17 May 1888. Died 9 May 1888 August H. Türk, son of Pastor F.W. Türk in Berlin, Ont., died in Chicago, Ill., of a throat ailment, at age of 38 years, 7 months & 14 days. [S4] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration, 12169-83. Samuel Obadia Tuerk, 24, occ. Machinist, b. Canada, res. Toronto, son of Frederick W. Tuerk and Lisetta Gillinghaus, married Emma Germann, 20, b. USA, res. Berlin, daughter of Peter Germann and Elizabeth Doll, Witnessed by August H. Tuerk and Carl Harthing, both of Berlin, 24 March 1883 at Berlin [S116] Vit - ON - Death Registration, 27655-1901 Frederick William Tuerk. [S137] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1901, Berlin (Town/Ville) A-11 Page 12. [S166] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Mount Hope CC#4508 Internet Link . West: In/ memorium[sic] of/ F.W. Tuerk/ who was Pastor of the/ New Jerusalem Church/ Berlin 44 years/ on July 3rd 1901/ at the age of 80 years/ 9 mos. & 10 dys./ He left his earthly/ tabernacle for the New/ Jerusalem which is/ above. Gal. 4: 2/ memorial/ The Lord is my Shepherd/ I shall not want/ He maketh me lie down in/ green pastures. He leadeth/ me beside the still waters/ He restoreth my soul; He/ leadeth me in the paths of/ righteousness for His/ name's sake. Ps. 23: 1-3/ Tuerk/ North: In/ memory of/ Maria S. Eberhardt/ beloved wife of/ Rev. F.W. Tuerk/ born in/ Switzerland/ died Jan. 30/ 1916/ in her 82nd year/ East: In/ memory of/ G. Adolph/ Tuerk/ 1854-1934/ South: In/ memory of/ Lisetta/ beloved wife of/ Rev. F.W. Tuerk/ she put off her/ natural body which/ is buried here/ Oct. 27, 1882/ aged 65 yrs./ 11 mos. 27 dys./ why seek ye the living/ among the dead/ He is not here but is/ risen. Luke 24: 5,6/ (A) G.A. Tuerk (B) Father (C) F.W.T. (D) M. [S123] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1861, Div 3 Pg 26. [S2] Church Records - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Church of the New Jerusalem (Swedenborgian). Name: Pastor F. W. Tuerk ??? Age: 63 res: Berlin, Ont. Place of Birth: Prussia, Germany Names of Parents: Gottlieb Tuerk & Wilha Vollman Name: Maria Sch. Eberhardt Age: 50 res: Biel Schweiz Place of Birth: Kappeln, Sw. Names of Parents: Jacob Eberhardt & Anna Ruchte Name: John Schnyder res: Civil In Wadensweil Name: ???Fran Schnyder res: Kirchl In Zurich Date of Marriage: June 19, 1884 [S229] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1871, Div. 2, Pg. 37. [S158] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1881, Div. 2 Pg. 64. [S123] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1861, Div. 3 Page 26. [S1592] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1891, Section 1 Page 23. [S116] Vit - ON - Death Registration, 17778-1882 Lisette Tuerk.

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 23 Feb 1820 - Rade, Dusseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany Immigration - 1849 - , Ontario, Canada Citizenship - 1859 - , Ontario, Canada Occupation - Minister - 1861 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - [Member of New Jersulem Religion] - 1861 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Minister - 1871 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - [Member of New Jersulem Religion] - 1871 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Minister - 1881 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Swedenborgian - 1881 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Married - 19 Jun 1884 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Preacher - 1891 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Swedenborgian - 1891 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - 1897 - 214 Queen St. S., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Clergyman - 1901 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Died - Cause: heart failure - 3 Jul 1901 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Buried - - Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth