Heiner, Elias (1810-1863)

Elias Heiner was born on September 16, 1810, in Taneytown , Frederick County , Maryland. This is now Carroll County. His parents were John Heiner and Mary Cover and he was the oldest of eight children. He was taught the Heidelberg Catechism at an early age, and in the fall of 1826, he attended the Franklin Academy at Reistertown, Maryland, were he studied languages and English education. In the fall of 1830, he traveled with Rev. David Bossler to York, Pennsylvania to meet the Rev. Dr. Lewis Mayer, Professor in the Theological Seminary at that place. After meeting Dr. Mayer, Elias decided that he would enter the Seminary, which he did, and remained there for three years. He was licensed by the Synod of Easton, PA. in 1833 and ordained and installed pastor of the Emmitsburg Charge in November of 1833. During his pastorate at Emmittsburg, he was married to Mary Wolf on October 1, 1834. They had six children together: John Zuingle, Ellias Mayer, Geo. Payson, Eugenia, Mary Ida and Melvillle. In the fall of 1835, Dr. Heiner accepted a call to the pastorate of the First Reformed congregation of Baltimore, Maryland. At the time, this church had conflicting interests between the Germans and the English. In 1844 he founded the Third Reformed church of Baltimore and in 1845 he helped establish the Fourth Reformed church in Baltimore which was for the exclusive use of the Germans. Dr. Heiner was an active member and supporter of different religious and societies of Baltimore. He was an active member of the Board of Trustees of Franklin and Marshall College, and took an active part in the movement to consolidate the institutions at Mercersberg and Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He was involved in the Tercentenary, in commemoration of the Heidelberg Catechism, held in 1863. Dr. Heiner received the degree of Master of Arts from the Board of Trustees of Rutgers College, N. J., in July 1845. The same college conferred the degree of Doctor of Divinity upon him in July, 1850. Elias Heiner died October 20, 1863, at the age of 53.