USA > Pennsylvania > Change and challenge: a history of the Church of the Brethren in the southern district of Pennsylvania, 1940-1972 > Part 27
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During the years the church has made significant improvements to the physical plant. The dwelling next to the church was purchased for use as a parsonage. This house was converted into office and classroom space when the congregation purchased a new parsonage on Williamson Avenue. The church building was completely remodeled on the inside and new windows were added. A conference room was conveniently equipped; a new heating plant was installed. A new fellowship hall with Sunday School class rooms, a kitchen and a fiberglass baptistry was erected. An electric organ with chimes was added to the sanctuary. New altar equip-
The Greencastle Church
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ment was built by a member of the congregation complete with altar accessories. Four sets of paraments were purchased to be used during the various seasons. Some of these additions were presented as memorial gifts by individuals and by families.
The congregation has been assisted by active Men's Work, Women's Work and Youth organizations as they have interpreted the outreach ministries of the brotherhood. The Christian Education Commission has been active in promoting the ideals and programs of the Church of the Brethren.
James H. Beahm (1934) and John L. Fisher (1955) were called to the ministry by the Greencastle congregation.
Two refugee families and an exchange student were sponsored by members of the congregation.
Through the years the congregation has given recognition to worthy members for their services to the church. On December 3, 1953, the Green- castle Church honored Dr. and Mrs. Murphy by holding an appreciation dinner for them. John Rowland was honored with a citation given to him at a morning church service in recognition of his fifty-five years in the Christian ministry. William Kinsey was honored at his retirement after fifty years as a minister in the church. At the retirement of Dr. and Mrs. Detweiler a testimonial dinner was given in their honor on September 12, 1971. Appreciation has been shown to Margie Henry for her many years of service as a church clerk; to Paul Foust for his long service as the choir director of the congregation; to Nancy Rice and Linda Thomas for their faithful service at the church organ through the years.
The congregation has observed a number of red letter days. One of these came on March 3, 1940 when the church observed its twelfth anni- versary. It also marked the receipt of the deed to the church property purchased from the Methodist Conference. Dr. C. C. Ellis was speaker for the occasion. Another celebration was held on March 1, 1953 when William Kinsey helped the church observe its twenty-fifth anniversary. A service of dedication for the new educational building was held on June 7, 1959 with Dr. Ross D. Murphy delivering the dedicatory address. The Greencastle Church hosted a Sunday School and a Ministerial Meeting in 1944 and the Annual District Conference in 1972.
During the 250th anniversary year of the denomination, the Green- castle congregation joined with neighboring congregations to honor the memory of John Mack in the Waynesboro community. The members of the church were active also in helping to establish a memorial marker on the original Wilbur B. Stover farm. On the southeast edge of Green- castle, members joined with others from the district as the district re- called one of its worthy forbearers. The marker stands on a property now owned by the Greencastle-Antrim School District. (See Mission Enthus- iasm).
In the summer of 1971, the Greencastle Church purchased a new parsonage on Williamson Avenue. On September 1, 1971, J. Richard Gott- shall returned to his native Pennsylvania from Virginia and assumed the pastoral ministry of the Greencastle Church. Under the leadership of the pastor, the church organization consisted of the following: Modera- tor, Wayne A. Nicarry; Associate Moderator, Paul R. Foust; Church Clerk, Cora E. Oellig; Treasurer, Marvin L. Rice and Financial Secretary, Samuel Eshelman.
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J. Richard Gottshall
Wayne Nicarry
THE HANOVER CONGREGATION
Hanover is located in a productive agricultural and manufacturing area of southwest York County. The Church of the Brethren, situated in this region of 30,000 persons, was begun in 1897 by the Southern District Mission Board. Early services were conducted here in the old concert hall in Center Square by Joseph A. Long of York. A group of thirty-six people met for services which were conducted by Bro. Long, Edward Miller and B. F. Masterson.
These German Baptists of Hanover built a church in 1898-1899 on a lot presented to the congregation by H. N. Gitt and William P. Stine. The congregation erected a comfortable, one-story brick building on this Ful- ton Street lot and illuminated it with electricity. The church house was sixty feet long and forty feet wide. For a period of time, ministers were provided by the District Mission Board. B. F. Masterson, of the state of California, was the last of the ministers supplied by the district. He moved from Southern Pennsylvania in 1902 and returned to his home state. When D. H. Baker and John Utz moved into the congregation as members, they began to assume responsibility for the work.
In the winter of 1940-1941, the membership decided to remodel its building. A Sunday School annex, a balcony, a church tower and a vesti- bule, a new lighting system, a new heating plant and new carpet were all added to the church. The benches in the sanctuary were refinished. The cost of the project was $10,000.
Jacob E. Myers served the congregation as the presiding elder from 1935 until 1946, the year of his death. He had been elected to the ministry by the congregation (1918) and was advanced to the eldership in 1929. During the years of extreme need from 1940 until 1945, the congregation became involved in support for relief. Members began to lift regular offer- ings on behalf of Civilian Public Service camps and their work. Donations of foods and clothing were sent to the camps, particularly to Camp Kane where Levi K. Ziegler was serving as director.
It was at the Hanover congregation that plans were first developed for a united district program. Here, on December 15, 1944, the District Mission Board, the District Ministerial Board and the Board of Christian Education met to discuss common problems and to plan for an eventual merger. The thought of meeting jointly was discussed and the decision was reached to hold joint board meetings as an established policy. The
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idea of developing a district budget was also discussed and finally approved on July 4, 1945.
When additional improvements were made to the Fulton Street Church house, the congregation met on July 24, 1949 to dedicate them. Windows had been altered, a kitchen was installed, the basement was enlarged and improved, a baptistry installed and the pulpit area beautified. Rest rooms were placed in the church and a bulletin board was installed. The rear hall and vestibule were renewed with floor tiling. Edward E. Baugher, who had served as the elder-in-charge of the congregation (1946-1954), presided over the service at which Dr. C. C. Ellis spoke.
Elder Edward E. Baugher in 1950 preached a Pennsylvania Dutch sermon in the United Brethren Church in Hanover. He was active in many district functions, including service on the Brethren Home Board, the District Organization Committee and the District Board of Christian Edu- cation. His death in 1954 was a severe loss to the district and to the Hanover congregation.
A Minute from the Ministry Commission records for 1953 reads as follows:
"We were called into the Hanover congregation to determine if the church would move from the self-supported ministry to the full- time pastoral ministry. The church decided to go into full-time pastoral work ... We assisted the church in securing Glenn Norris of Ambler, Pennsylvania."
This action was taken as a special council of the church. The Norris family moved into a temporary parsonage located at 230 York Street. The first floor of the Dr. Sterner property was rented as the parsonage. The Norrises began their work on December 1, 1953. In 1956, the congre- gation purchased a parsonage on Fulton Street and dedicated it with special worship services. Dr. Galen Kilhefner, of Elizabethtown, was the guest speaker.
Glenn E. Norris and his wife Lois served as missionaries to Sweden (1929-1934). They came from the Ambler Church of the Brethren and were ready to provide the first pastoral leadership to the Hanover Church. Mrs. Norris also served with her husband as a licensed minister of the Church of the Brethren and was involved in numerous district activities. Glenn's interest in writing led him into editorial work. While he was pastor of the Hanover congregation, he wrote the expositions for the Sunday School lessons used by the brotherhood.
When Glenn Norris moved from Hanover in 1959, he assumed the pastorate of the Williamsburg Church of the Brethren in Middle Pennsyl- vania for a brief time. He was soon called to edit the adult publications for the General Brotherhood Board, editing the Adult Quarterly and sec- tions of the Church of the Brethren Leader.
The church has shown lively interest in the various Brethren Service ministries of the brotherhood. A special notice of April 22, 1950 observed of the women of the Hanover congregation that they were "actively engaged in various projects for church financing." The church formed an Outreach Commission which scheduled work days at New Windsor, Maryland, and helped to process relief goods. In addition, it has sponsored other forms of mission work. Ruth Shriver entered Brethren Volunteer Service from the congregation in 1953. The Hanover Bible School purchased a heifer for relief in the same year. Larry and Barbara Werner, Leendert Baggerman and Bruce Stambaugh entered various forms of Brethren Volunteer Service work.
In 1953, the congregation purchased a new organ. Mrs. Gladys B. Rowland, a talented musician, presented a special program of music to the assembled audience in a special service of dedication.
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Glenn E. Kinsel, who was serving as pastor in Northern Indiana, was called to serve as pastor at Hanover by a council on July 5, 1959. He showed keen interest in camp leadership, Christian Education activities and peace education. On September 3, 1959, J. Vernon Grim, represent- ing the District Ministry Commission, installed the new pastor at a special service.
Shortly after their new pastor arrived, the congregation observed its sixtieth anniversary. With this celebration, a home-coming event was observed. The church met on December 13, 1959, with Dr. Ralph W. Schlosser as the guest speaker. A fellowship meal for members and friends of the church was held at noon. Members of the church placed on display a table of historic items, including pictures, dishes and utensils of earlier Lovefeast services in the congregation's past.
The next few years were eventful for the church. The membership sponsored the Martin Baggerman family from Indonesia and helped them to relocate in the Hanover area. In January, 1960, the church saw the need for further improvement and expansion. The church council appointed a Church Planning Committee to determine the congregation's future course of action. By 1961, upon recommendation from the Planning Committee, the church decided to relocate. A desirable site was found on Wilson Avenue in northwest Hanover and, in 1962, it was purchased. This lot of 6.9 acres was located within the city limits next to the Hanover High School.
The church has been active in community, district and brotherhood work. Many of its members have been involved in outreach ministries and in service to the district. From 1953-1956, Ronald H. Rowland served as the president of the Council of Men's Work for the brotherhood. He also served as a member of the Southern District Board and as chairman of the Brethren Home Board.
On November 11, 1962, thirty young people came from the New Wind- sor Brethren Volunteer Service unit to visit with the Hanover Church. They conducted a service of worship for the people. Donald Kauffman, a member of the church, became an exchange student to Madrid, Spain in the same year. The pastor, Glenn E. Kinsel, began conducting morn- ing devotions over radio station WHVR in 1962. These services have been continued and some worship services have been broadcast. The Hanover Youth Fellowship presented a drama at the 1963 Annual District Confer- ence under the title, "The Peddlers".
Between 1940 and 1972, the church has called a number of men to the Christian ministry. Paul R. Kline and J. Vernon Grim were licensed to preach in 1947. David Yingling was called by the church on February 26, 1961 and was ordained to the full ministry at a Palm Sunday service on April 11, 1965. In 1962, John William Lowe Jr. and David S. Young were licensed. Jacob M. Stauffer (listed in the earlier History) was the only other person elected by the congregation.
When Glenn E. Kinsel accepted a pastorate in the Atlantic Northeast District, the church council met on August 9, 1967 to call a new pastor. The meeting voted to call Roger L. Forry from a pastorate in the Buffalo Valley of Pennsylvania to the work at Hanover. He was installed on December 3, 1967 by moderator Earl K. Ziegler.
Ground-breaking services were observed for a new church edifice at the Wilson Avenue site in September, 1968. By November 9, 1969, the congregation was ready to dedicate its new building. The Fulton Street building was sold to the Southern Baptist denomination. Dr. Morley J. Mays, president of Elizabethtown College, met with the church to deliver
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The Hanover Church
the dedicatory message. On succeeding night, additional services were held. On November 10, 1969, the congregation invited Brethren of the district to participate with it in services of dedication. Joseph M. Long, Tri-District Executive Secretary, was the guest speaker.
The design of the church architecture is unique among Churches of the Brethren. The Hanover Church is a unit of three buildings formed into a triangle to sym- bolize the Trinity. The sanctuary com- plex seats 432 persons. The Christian Education unit is a two-story building pro- viding classroom and office spaces. All the units are heated electrically. The symbol- ism of the entire structure was designed by the brotherhood architect, Arthur L. Dean. The cost of the complex was $314,000.
Roger L. Forry, the pastor, described the church as having "no back or front; it faces out to all sides and facets of life -residences, schools, farms and factor- Roger L. Forry ies". The central cross is uplifted by three laminated beams in the center of the three units. Uniting the beams at the top are three perfect circles with the cross rising from a spire which looks like a sheaf of wheat. The cross is rugged and seeks to express the mission of the church to the world.
THE HUNTDALE CONGREGATION
The Huntsdale congregation is situated southwest of Carlisle close to the village of Huntsdale. At one time this church was a part of the Upper Cumberland congregation formed in 1836. Prior to this division into Upper and Lower Cumberland, the Upper Cumberland congregation consisted of four places of worship: Huntsdale, Green Spring, Jacksonville and Council Bluffs. When Newville became a separate congregation in 1925, Jacksonville, Council Bluffs and Green Spring were discontinued by the Church of the Brethren. The Green Spring Church is now owned by the Brethren in Christ congregation.
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An old burying-ground was deeded to the Huntsdale Church in 1850. It was established by a group of civic-minded people who arranged for free burial rights for the people of the community. The oldest legible markers in the cemetery show deaths as early as 1825. The land for the cemetery was conveyed by Samuel Cockley to "the Brethren of the Ancient Baptist Church of Upper Cumberland County, Pennsylvania" in the year 1863. A tract of land was also conveyed to the Church of the Brethren by Samuel Cockley for use in the construction of a meetinghouse (1864).
In 1940, the Cemetery Association of the Huntsdale Church of the Brethren was incorporated. The assets and responsibilities are vested in a board of directors elected one member annually from the adult male membership of the congregation. An additional tract of land of nearly two acres was deeded to the congregation for use as a cemetery in 1955 by the families of Mrs. Ralph Richwine, Mr. and Mrs. David Thumma and Mr. and Mrs. John Thumma. "No person has ever been charged for a burial lot at Huntsdale. We hope no one ever will be."
The names associated with the Church of the Brethren as a congre- gation have been varied through the years. A deed to the cemetery of the Huntsdale congregation refers to "The Brethren of the Ancient Baptist Church of Upper Cumberland". At a later date, the church was known as "The German Baptist Brethren". In 1925, the congregation officially assumed the name: "Church of the Brethren, Huntsdale, Pa."
The first elected pastor of the congregation was Luke H. Buffenmeyer (1937-1939). He served the congregation until he decided to complete his education at Bethany Biblical Seminary in Chicago, Illinois. Otho J. Has- singer, who became the presiding elder of the church in 1936, assumed the pastorate in 1939. He continued to be elected pastor for three-year terms and served the congregation untit 1957. His death came on Sep- tember 20, 1958 after he had moved from Huntsdale to a pastorate at Claysburg in Middle Pennsylvania.
The Huntsdale Church has maintained keen interest in the work of missions and frequently invited furloughed missionaries to be guests of the congregation. Youth activities, prayer services in private homes and at the church house, evangelistic services and music institutes have characterized the church program during the pastorate of Otho J. Has- singer. The congregation conducted music institutes of a week's duration each summer for many years with outstanding leaders such as Perry L. Huffaker, Charles L. Rowland, Elmer Leas and Stanley S. Dotterer.
In 1944, the Women's Work Organization was formed. This was a successor to the Sisters' Aid Society which began in Huntsdale on July 31, 1909. The new Women's Work Organization stressed missions, temper- ance, home life and relief services. A director was appointed for each phase of the organization's program. The women of the congregation, located so close to the Children's Home at Carlisle, frequently found time to mend the clothing of the children. The organization has also given many work days at The Brethren Home at Cross Keys.
The Men's Work Organization has been active in maintaining the program of the church. The men have purchased heifers for overseas relief during the post-war years. In 1949, when some trees were donated to the church, the men cut the trees into logs and sold them for the benefit of the church improvement fund. The organization assisted in remodeling the church basement (1955-1956) and redecorating the church sanctuary. By October 26-28, 1956, services of dedication were held for the improved church house. Elmer B. Hoover, Luke H. Buffenmyer and Nevin H. Zuck were guest speakers for this occasion.
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When Otho J. Hassinger moved from the district, the local Ministry and Evangelism Committee supplied the pulpit until Kenneth R. Blough assumed the pastoral work. The church licensed the following men to the ministry: Glenn O. Hassinger, Ralph Adam Bream, Jr., Cletus S. Myers and Kenneth L. Franklin.
Joseph M. Baugher was present from the district on January 5, 1958 to install Kenneth R. Blough as the new pastor of the church. He arrived from a pastorate in Western Pennsylvania in November, 1957. On Jan- uary 1, 1958, a group of young people from the Huntsdale Church journeyed with their pastor to the youth Lovefeast service held in the Coventry Church of the Brethren to mark the beginning of the denomina- tion's 250th anniversary year. The youth afterward journeyed to a site along the Wissahickon stream where the first baptism of the Brethren in America was performed in 1723.
Kenneth R. Blough helped the congregation to observe its 250th anniversary by teaching a course on The History of the Church of the Brethren, using materials which had been prepared by the brotherhood staff. The congregation also joined in a rededication of its talents and moneys under the brotherhood Anniversary Call program. W. Carl Sheaffer and Ralph H. Clopper served as the co-chairmen for this event.
The Huntsdale Church has had eleven persons enter Brethren Volun- teer Service and Alternative Service work. These people are Jon A. Williams, Sara Swartz, Ralph Bream, Harold Bream, Lee Stamy, Donn Williams, Doris Cleaver, Lowell Hassinger, Virginia Hassinger, Alvin Blough and John Bucher.
The Huntsdale Church
For many years the congregation cooperated with other congregations in an annual outdoor service at the Big Spring State Park in Perry County. It united with the Mount Olivet, Newville, Ridge and Three Springs congregations in worship and Sunday School services each July. The Huntsdale Church has also frequently hosted district events. The youth once met here regularly for their zone meetings. In 1960, the congregation hosted the Southern District Sunday School Convention at which Robert Mock and Dan West were speakers. In 1953, the Southern District Conference met here to conduct the business of the district.
Paul M. Basehore became pastor of the Huntsdale Church on September 1, 1962. The new pastor was installed in special services con-
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ducted on September 23rd by Clarence B. Sollenberger. A recent graduate of Bethany Biblical Seminary, Bro. Basehore served previously as the summer pastor at churches in Middle Iowa (1959) and in Maryland (1960). During his pastorate, the congregation observed its 100th anni- versary. On September 13-14, 1964, Robert L. Cocklin, Calvert N. Ellis and Nevin H. Zuck were present to assist the congregation with its celebrations of its beginnings a century earlier.
The first Lovefeast was held at the Huntsdale meetinghouse on May 27-28, 1865. From that time forward, the church observed the Lovefeast and Communion twice each year. The deacons who have served the con- gregation since 1940 include George L. Line, Willis Whistler, E. L. Mel- linger, Frank Boldosser, H. S. Sheaffer, John Leer, Ralph Richwine, Ralph Clopper, E. O. Reed, Harry Stamey, George Widders, Carl Sheaffer, Bruce Nailer, Henry P. Sheller and Eugene Cohick.
When Bro. Basehore moved to Indiana in 1965, the church was supplied by regional pastors. Robert Turner provided the pastoral ministry for the congregation until Jay D. Cannon was employed. The new pastor, a former member of the First Church of the Brethren of York, assumed his responsibilities on July 3, 1966. On November 13, 1966, a special service of ordination advanced Bro. Cannon to the full ministry.
Lanta A. Sholley Jr.
On August 1, 1969, Lanta A. Sholley Jr. succeeded to the Huntsdale pastorate. He was ordained in the Oakdale Church of the Brethren in Western Pennsylvania on September 25, 1960. He also held pas- torates in Methodist congregations in Lan- caster County and in Chicago, Illinois.
The interest of the membership in mis- sions prompted them to conduct a Missions Fair on January 30, 1972. Sara Swartz, who gave a year of service in the Nigerian mission field as a volunteer, assisted in arranging the fair. A series of displays were prepared to show the various areas of the world in which the Church of the Brethren is conducting mission work. The congregation was honored by the presence of two native African students who were furthering their education at Elizabethtown College.
The Huntsdale Church has owned several parsonages. The first parsonage was a two-story brick house adjacent to the former site of the District's Home for the Aged. Here the congregation erected a one-car garage. This parsonage was occupied by pastors Kenneth R. Blough, Jay D. Cannon and Paul M. Basehore (1957-1969). This church property was sold in 1969 and a new parsonage was erected on land adjacent to the church. The new parsonage is a three-bedroom brick building with a garage attached. Lanta Sholley is currently residing in the new home.
The Huntsdale congregation continues to serve in a rural area. Like other churches of the district, many of its members have identified them- selves with the offices and industries of the developing urban communities. The church continues to keep abreast of the needs of a changing world which is very unlike the world of 1864 when the congregation began.
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THE KNOBSVILLE CONGREGATION
The Knobsville Church is a recent product of the district's interest in church extension. A section of Fulton County was surveyed at a time when the District Mission Board developed concern about new mission points. The board found a section between the Fort Littleton Interchange on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and the McConnellsburg area.
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