In the early years of his education, Gerhart went to the Classical Institution of the Reformed Church in York, Pennsylvania, under the leadership of Rev.
The school included a rigorous training in philosophy, history, math, science, Greek and Latin based on the German education system.
[3] At the seminary, Gerhart studied under Frederick Augustus Rauch and John Williamson Nevin, who were leading figures in the founding of Mercersburg Theology.
[5] Gerhart began his ministry work during his studies at seminary and was approved by the Synod of the Reformed Church to minister in Reading, Pennsylvania.
There he ministered to German immigrants and later traveled various states including Kentucky, Indiana, and Wisconsin to form new congregations.
According to the Alumni Association of Franklin and Marshall, "his unruffled manner, his deliberateness of speech and the logical cast of his mind always came into service."