Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Samuel Simon Schmucker
Photographed By Karl Stelly, July 8, 2013
1. Samuel Simon Schmucker Marker
Founder of the Lutheran Theological Seminary and nearby Gettysburg College, Samuel Simon Schmucker (1799-1873) guided the school through its early years and the tumultuous Civil War period. Intelligent, energetic, well educated, and deeply pious, Schmucker was the "very life and formative power" of the Seminary for nearly forty years. One contemporary observed that he never knew a man "who needed and took less relaxation from severe mental toil than he."
As a leader of American Lutherans, Schmucker authored more than 40 publications on theology, church history, and philosophy. His progressive religious views and opposition to slavery made him a lightning rod for controversy within his own church. As the most visible Lutheran leader in America, his views were well known throughout the country and within wider Evangelical and Reformed circles internationally. When he retired in 1864, a reporter proclaimed that few men had accomplished "more good for the church and the general welfare of society."
Erected 2013 by The Seminary Ridge Historic Preservation Foundation. (Marker Number 5.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Education.
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Location. 39° 49.855′ N, 77° 14.607′ W. Marker is in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. Marker can be reached from Springs Avenue. Marker is at the edge of the parking lot for Valentine Hall, about 30 yards away from Springs Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gettysburg PA 17325, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Samuel Simon Schmucker House (within shouting distance of this marker); Daniel Alexander Payne (within shouting distance of this marker); Valentine Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Dance's Battalion - First Virginia Artillery (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Life as a Seminary Student (about 400 feet away); Cunningham's Battery - Dance's Battalion (about 500 feet away); Gettysburg Seminary Ridge Museum (about 500 feet away); The Seminary Hospital (about 500 feet away); Samuel Simon Schmucker Hall (about 500 feet away); Crisis Comes to the Seminary's Back Door (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.
More about this marker. This marker is Stop 5 on the Seminary Ridge Historic Walking Trail.
Also see . . .
Photographed By Karl Stelly, July 8, 2013
2. Samuel Simon Schmucker Marker
A closeup of the text
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 23, 2015
3. Samuel Simon Schmucker Marker
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 23, 2015
4. Samuel Simon Schmucker Marker
Photographed By Karl Stelly, July 8, 2013
5. Samuel Simon Schmucker
Early color portrait of Samuel Simon Schmucker (detail).
Gettysburg College - Public Domain
6. Samuel S. Schmucker
He was an anti-slavery theologian and the founder of Gettysburg College
Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2013, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 682 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 12, 2013, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 3, 4. submitted on December 7, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 5. submitted on July 12, 2013, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 6. submitted on July 16, 2013, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
