Graphics Library

This is a map of the Palatinate area of Germany in 1750, showing how the land was divided between the various duchy's. The circle identifies where the village of Ilbesheim, Duchy of Zweibrücken, is located. It was there that Catharine (Dörner) Fast was born on September 19, 1724. She was baptized on October 29, 1724. The circle also shows the village of Göcklingen, Duchy of Kürpfalz, where Nicklaus Fast was born on December 26, 1727, about midnight. He was baptized on December 28, 1727.
The village of Göcklingen, Germany is the birth place of Nicklaus Fast (1727-1818). This view was taken from the East. In the right foreground notice the apple orchard. On the mountains in the background, with a commanding view of the valley below, is the ruins of Madenburg Castle.
The village of Göcklingen, Germany. This view taken from the South East. Notice the vineyard in the foreground. The church steeple in the center of the village is the Protestant Church. To the right is the steeple of the Catholic Church. During WWII, on March 23, 1945, Karl-Michael Fast attached a bed sheet to a bean pole and hung it from the tower of the Catholic Church. That signaled the capitulation of the village to the American military.
This is a picture of what the Rotterdam Harbor looked like in 1750. It was given to Mr. Wirt G. Faust by the Archivest of Rotterdam. It shows the type of ship Nicklaus and Catharine Fast may have sailed to America on. The journey was long and difficult, lasting many months. They floated down the Rhine River, starting at Speyer, Germany, and ending at Rotterdam, Holland. From there, they took passage on the Ship Royal Union, landing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 15, 1750.
Nicklaus & Cadarina Fast tombstones are located in the cemetery of Jacob's Lutheran Church, German Twp., Fayette Co., Pa. Their son, Francis Fast and his wife, are buried next to them. The first person to be buried in the cemetery was a child, who died as the result of an Indian uprising (early 1770's).
New Tombstone for Nicklaus & Cadarina Fast This is a picture of Jacob's Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery. In the background is "Jacob's Lutheran Memorial Log Church", in remembrance of the original log structure built in 1773. In the foreground are the graves of Nicklaus & Cadarina Fast. Because the original writing on their tombstones has faded away, a new stone was added in 2022.
This side of the stone contains the text from Nicklaus Fast's tombstone. The original German text on the left, and the English translation on the right.
This side of the stone contains the text from Cadarina Fast's tombstone. The original German text on the left, and the English translation on the right.
Jacob's Lutheran Church, German Twp., Fayette Co., Pa. It is located a few miles east of Masontown, Pa. This is the oldest Lutheran church west of the Appalachian mountains. A congregation has been meeting on this location since at least 1773. The land on the deed for the church was entitled "The Strait and Narrow Way".
Jacob's Lutheran Church in 1995. This building was erected in 1881. They are still conducting services today. The church cemetery is quite large and very nicely maintained.