Somerset Township near Friedens in Somerset County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

John Christian Frederick Heyer

(1793-1873)

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, August 28, 2016

1. John Christian Frederick Heyer Marker

Inscription. In 1842 Father Heyer became the first American Missionary to India, establishing schools and churches and ministering to women and those outside the caste system. In the US, he traveled extensively in Pa. and the Midwest organizing congregations. He was instrumental in founding Gettysburg College and the nation's first Lutheran theological seminary at Gettysburg. A resident of Friedens, he was pastor and is buried here.

Erected 2016 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1842.

Location. 40° 3.029′ N, 78° 59.809′ W. Marker is near Friedens, Pennsylvania, in Somerset County. It is in Somerset Township. It is at the intersection of Beaver Dam Road and Stoystown Road (Pennsylvania Route 281), on the right when traveling south on Beaver Dam Road. Located at the east parking lot of Friedens Lutheran Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 111 S Main St, Friedens PA 15541, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies:

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Somerset County National Guard Memorial (approx. 1.8 miles away); Flight 93 Monument (approx. 3.4 miles away); Stoystown Legion Veterans Memorial (approx. 4.1 miles away); Forbes Road (approx. 4.3 miles away); Roadside Enterprise (approx. 4.3 miles away); Highway Enterprise (approx. 4.3 miles away); Flight 93 National Memorial (approx. 4.3 miles away); Wind Power (approx. 4.3 miles away).

More about this marker. Marker was dedicated on August 28, 2016

T. Vijaya Kumar The Hindu Photographer, India., July 31, 2017

2. John Christian Frederick Heyer Marker

Founder of Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, August 28, 2016

3. John Christian Frederick Heyer Marker

Friedens Lutheran Church in background

The Rev. John Christian Frederick Heyer, M.D. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Unknown, circa 1873

4. The Rev. John Christian Frederick Heyer, M.D.

John Christian Frederick Heyer Grave image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, August 28, 2016

5. John Christian Frederick Heyer Grave

John Christian Frederick Heyer Grave Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, August 28, 2016

6. John Christian Frederick Heyer Grave Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2016, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,553 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 28, 2016, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on August 2, 2018, by Emmanuel P. Kuraguntla of Belleville, New Jersey, 07109 USA. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 28, 2016, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.