Four generations of the Schrempel family have contributed their great gifts in the areas of music, photography, business and communal service to Bethlehem.

The first of the Shrempels arrived in Bethlehem from Philadelphia around 1870. Emil Sr. had worked as a weaver in a textile mill in Kensington, Pa. He was accompanied by his wife, Theresa (Ehrlich), and children, Elizabeth and Emil Jr.

Emil Sr. and Theresa were both immigrants from Germany, arriving in the 1850s. In the early 1870s, Theresa opened a notions store that sold fine wool clothing at 317 Birch (Adams) St. She rented the space from Adam Brinker, the entrepreneur who expanded his harness business to include selling building stones and eventually artificial ice and coal.

The son, Emil Jr., was still a young boy when he moved to Bethlehem with his family. It was through his mother's store that the Brinkers and Shrempels came to know each other. Emil and Adam sang together in a South Bethlehem choir. This connection would lead to the marriage of Emil Jr. and Brinker's daughter Marsha, in 1891.

By the time of the marriage, Emil had established himself as a prominent photographer. His studio was located at Birch (Adams) and Mechanic streets, in a property also belonging to Adam Brinker. Some of his printed photographs and glass negatives can be found in collections today. One of his glass negatives, of a view of South Bethlehem, recently sold for $300.

Emil would not live to see his two sons, Frederick (1891-1938) and Walter (1893-1982), grow up to be adults. The hard-working photographer died in 1901. Martha raised her sons along with caring for her father, after her mother's death in 1908. The Shrempels resided in the Brinker home at 466 Adams St.

Frederick and Walter both attended the public schools in South Bethlehem, Penrose and Central HS. At Central, Walter played as a forward for the basketball team, which were then the champions of the Eastern Pennsylvania Congress.

Frederick graduated from South Bethlehem Business College and became an electrician for Bethlehem Steel Company then opened his own repair shop.

Walter attended Lehigh University and graduated in 1914 with a degree in civil engineering. He immediately joined his grandfather Adam Brinker in business.

Walter was a talented musician, playing the organ for the First Moravian Church throughout his life. Walter married Rose Strauss who died in 1942, then married Frances Kratz, in 1945, who was a gifted musician, teacher and conductor. She was the organist and choir director for Advent Moravian Church, Bethlehem, for 36 years. Their daughter, Martha, carries on the Shrempel musical tradition today.

Walter operated the family coal and ice business from 1912 to 1954, buying the business from his grandfather in the 1920s. He served as the Director of Civil Defense for the city of Bethlehem during World War I and World War II. Walter advocated that school children and workers should return to their homes in a war emergency where they would be safer than in a civil defense shelter. He was a much-sought out speaker for Rotary International and was elected district governor of the 179th district. The Rotary club established the Walter A. Schrempel Music Scholarship for high school seniors, in his honor.

The most famous member of the amazing Schrempels is Dr. Martha Schrempel, who graduated from Vassar College, Temple University and the Juilliard School. She has played in concerts throughout the world and is considered an extraordinary performer. Dr. Schrempel currently is principal keyboardist in the Pennsylvania Sinfonia Orchestra, a member of the Satori chamber music group, and on the piano faculty of Moravian College, where she received the T. Edgar Shields prize for outstanding studio teaching.

Over the years, the four generations of Schrempels have made Bethlehem a nicer place to live.