Church of the Brethren, Unsung Brethren David Emmert (Juanita)

15 South Mulberry Street
Hagerstown, Maryland 21740
301-733-3565

MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Hagerstown Church of the Brethren is to celebrate the love of Jesus Christ and glorify the
Lord by striving to live as Christ lived, experiencing the power of God's healing in our lives. We seek to nurture
our faith community through prayer, music and the proclaimed Word, while enthusiastically reaching out to
others with compassion, respect and love for everyone so that we may grow in faith and commitment together.

VISION STATEMENT
Journeying with Christ - Serving Our Neighbors - Uniting at the Master’s Table

Unsung Brethren

David Emmert was born – September 6th 1854 – at Benevola, a small
community about 6 miles southeast of Hagerstown, Maryland. When 18-
years-old, he left the family farm and found employment at the Frick
Manufacturing Company in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. While working at
Frick, David made friends with Jacob Zuck, another member of the
Church of the Brethren. On their lunch break the two often discussed a
common interest in building a faith-based school for orphaned children.

In 1877, David joined a group with Zuck and helped establish Juniata
College in Huntington County, Pennsylvania. By the fall at this time
Emmert is listed as “professor of drawing and painting” at Juniata. With a
natural talent and appreciation for art, his works were mostly related to
farm-life and nature.

David Emmert married Catherine Scheller of Hagerstown in December
1881. The marriage produced three sons – Lewis, Daniel and Edwin.
Perhaps, it was needy children coming to the farm at Benevola for food
when Dave was a child that increased his compassion for orphaned kids.
While teaching at Juniata , he started a home for orphans in Huntington
County.

Emmert left Juniata in 1883, moved to Hagerstown where starting still
another orphanage called “Washington County Orphans Home.” The
original building is still standing along South Potomac Street in
Hagerstown. The Washington County Home has evolved over the years
and today is known as San Mar Children’s Home Inc. along the Mapleville
Road north of Boonsboro. For several years, David devoted his time to
operating his homes in both Maryland and Pennsylvania. Nine years after
establishing and serving as superintendent of the Hagerstown
orphanage, he returned to Juniata to continue his pursuits in the artist
world.

To keep both orphanages progressing, Emmert started publishing a
quarterly newspaper, “Helping Hand.” The publication brought
recognition and support to the children’s home. He also developed the
“Huntington Idea” which took the Pennsylvania home to a level of
education and training for youth that would help them to be adopted into
a real family home.

Being raised on a farm it seemed natural
that Emmert is listed in 1892, as
professor of biology and botany.
In 1901, he published
“Reminiscences of Juniata
College 1876-1901.” After a lifetime
calling of providing care and support
for needy children, the Brethren
humanitarian passed away in 1911.

“Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest
from their labours; and their works
do follow them.” Rev. 14:13

David Emmert