John A. Singmaster Papers

Rev. John Alden Singmaster was President of Gettysburg Theological Seminary from 1906-1926 and Professor of Systematic Theology and Chairman of the Faculty, succeeding Dr. Valentine from both positions. He was an active member on the Seminary Board of Directors from 1894-1900, stepping down when he accepted a call to become chair of Biblical Theology. He was also the financial secretary of the institution.

He was born on August 31, 1852 in Macungie, PA to James and Sarah Ann (Mattern) Singmaster. He graduated from Gettysburg College in 1873, Gettysburg Seminary in 1876 and was ordained that same year by Eastern Pennsylvania Synod. In 1894 he received a Doctor of Divinity from Gettysburg College and later a Doctor of Laws in 1920 from the same institution.

He served as pastor in Schuylkill Haven, PA, 1876-1882; Lyons and Macungie, PA, 1882-1886; Brooklyn, NY, 1887-1890; and St. Paul’s in Allentown, PA, 1890-1900. From 1897-1899 he was president of East Pennsylvania Synod, its secretary from 1880-1881, and its Treasurer from 1893-1895. He served the Lutheran Church in many ways; President of the General Synod from 1915-1917 and as a member of the Ways and Means Committee that planned the merger of general bodies in 1918.

Rev. Singmaster died on February 27, 1926.