History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 127

Author: Prowell, George R.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1372

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The Calvary Presbyterian Church Calvary Church. had its origin in the South Duke Street Presbyterian Sunday School and grew out of the efforts human achievement, the most liberal inter- of various members of the First Presbyte- He rian Church to meet the religious wants of had the industry, the perseverence and the the South End. In June, 1882, at a joint executive ability which are necessary in meeting of the elders and deacons of that the make-up of a good business man; the church it was resolved unanimously to take

thirst and capacity for knowledge which made him a devoted student all his life; and the high morality which made all these serve a common end-the good of his fellowmen. It was his well-rounded character which won to his projects the respect of all who were associated with him in any kind of work.

Dr. Niles by his indefatigable labors brought the First Presbyterian Church of York to the highest mark of efficiency, not only as the church home of a large and in- telligent congregation, but also as the work- ing centre of many religious interests.

Dr. Niles in 1874 was moderator of the with seven teachers and thirty-seven schol-

Synod of Philadelphia; in 1876 he was elected a director of the Board of Ministe- an office he has since continued to hold.

rial Relief of the Presbyterian Church, be- coming a charter member of that board, on which he served until his death; in 1877 he

The work grew rapidly. It was evident from the start that a Sunday School alone would not meet with the religious require- was an associate member of the Pan Pres- ments of the community and for weeks af- byterian Council which met in Edinburgh, Scotland; in 1899 he was a member of the General Assembly which convened in Min- neapolis, and this was the last honor of the kind he accepted. When Samuel Small was making his plans for the foundation of the York Collegiate Institute, he was actively interested, and he served as a trustee of that institution from the beginning. As a trus- tee of Lincoln University he did effective work for the uplifting of the colored peo- ple, in whom he was much interested. ter the organization of the school an even- ing service of praise and prayer, with occa- sional preaching, was inaugurated. Soon the building on Boundary Avenue was com- pleted and on the afternoon of November 19, 1882, the school, led by the superin- tendent, marched by classes to its beauti- ful and comfortable new home where ded- icatory services were held. Here the school is still to be found, though the building has greatly changed during the last quarter of a century to meet the expanding needs of the Society. The name "Calvary Chapel" was adopted as the official title of the new building. For a year the work was carried on by volunteer helpers alone, and then the Rev. George L. Smith was engaged to give his whole time to it. He began work in August, 1883. In October following, the Calvary Presbyterian Church was organ- ized by a committee from the Westminster

Dr. Niles was married at Lowell, Massa- chusetts, on June 26, 1850, to Jeannie E., daughter of Sumner Marsh. Mrs. Niles and the three sons. born to this union survive. Henry C. Niles, the eldest son, is one of the most prominent lawyers in Southern Penn- sylvania. Alfred S. Niles, the second son, is one of the judges of the Supreme Court of Baltimore. Edward, the youngest son,

"immediate steps toward organizing a mis- sion Sabbath School" in that part of the city. Several committees were appointed and Samuel Small, Sr., an elder of the First Church, agreed to donate the ground for a building at the southeast corner of Bound- ary Avenue and South Duke Street. Mean- while, without waiting for the proposed building, Samuel Small, Jr., a nephew of the above, found a temporary home for the School in Snyder's cooper-shop on the block just south of its present and permanent home. Here on the afternoon of August 6, 1882, the school was formally organized ars. « Mr. Small became its superintendent

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Presbytery. There were twenty-seven char- Dr. N. H. Shearer. In 1884-5, eighteen per- ter members. Four elders were chosen, one sons from the mission united with the of whom, B. F. Willis, still continues in mother church. To meet this new develop- office. In 1885 the present church edifice was erected and on February 16, 1886, it was dedicated. ment D. M. and J. Scott Butt, who had been boys in this Sabbath School, but who were then in Princeton Theologicl Seminary, and Claude Broadhead and Wilmer McNair, also Princeton students, were successively engaged to work in this field.

In 1890 a commodious parsonage was built from a legacy left by Mrs. Isabella C. Small, wife of Elder Samuel Small. The buildings, after twenty-five years, are now surrounded by large and umbrageous trees and covered with ivy. They form one of the most pleasing sights in that section of the city. Rev. Smith resigned in the spring of 1898 and in September following, the Rev. William J. Oliver, a graduate or Har- vard College and of Union Theological Seminary, took charge of the work. The church and school have grown steadily in spite of many and serious obstacles. The former now has 175 active members on its roll, while the latter numbers thirty-three officers and teachers and 300 scholars with an average attendance of two-thirds of the total enrollment.

Westminster Presbyterian

Westminster Church, of York, was consti-

Church. tuted in 1887, but its real life began earlier. In $1867 Henry S. Myers, recently graduated from Princeton College, came to York. In the summer of 1869 he attended a Y. M. C. A. convention in Portland, Maine, where he met D. L. Moody, the "Prince of Evange- lists." Returning home under that inspi- ration Mr. Myers began mission work in Groethe's Row. A Sabbath School was gathered and Miss Sallie B. Small was among the first to assist in the work.

Samuel Small, Sr., built a chapel on North Duke Street, near Arch, which was in 1907 used as a kindergarten. The Sabbath School occupied this building August 7, 1870.

On September 16, 1877, Miss Small opened a "Mothers' School" and summoned to her aid Mrs. Dr. Henry McClellan, Mrs. William Smith, Mrs. Jane Thompson, Mrs. Wagner, Miss Sarah McIlvaine, Miss Lydia Rupp, (now Mrs. H. S. Myers) and Miss Laura Kirkwood. Several men then and later took part in the mission, among them, church and unveiled December 15.

A meeting was held in the Duke Street chapel March 14, 1887, to organize a church. F. M. Crawford presided. Thirty-eight per- sons from the First Presbyterian Church formed the new organization. Henry S. Myers and Albert B. Carner were chosen elders and H. S. Myers, William L. Cross- ley, George A. Shatrone and A. B. Carner composed the first Board of Trustees. On April 14, the congregation took action that led to the ordination of Mr. Wil- liam McNair and his appointment as "stated supply." He was called to the full pastorate September 26, 1889. He resigned August 1, 1890, to accept a pro- fessorship in Wentworth College, Sumner, Washington state.

Meantime Miss Anna M. Small gave to the congregation a lot of ground on North Queen Street, west side, just north of the railroad property. Trustees Carner and Logeman were appointed to act with Sam- uel Small, Jr., as a building committee. The corner stone was laid on June 30, 1887, Rev. William C. Rommel, of Philadelphia, mak- ing the address. The building was dedi- cated December 15, 1887, Rev. Dr. Mc- Dougall preaching the sermon.

The church was enlarged in the winter of 1891-2.

The second pastor was Rev. Charles A. Oliver, formerly of Rexborough Presbyte- rian Church, Philadelphia. He was installed at Westminster December 16, 1890.

In March, 1895, the session was increased by electing Robert J. Dick as elder. At the same time a board of deacons was organ- ized, the first to fill the offices being John W. Tredway, Bernhardt Holtzman and Peter E. Vail.

Miss Sallie Small died August 28, 1895. A tablet to her memory was placed in the

In 1907 the membership of the church

Samuel Small, Jr., Professors T. H. Dins- more and Albert B. Carner, William A. was 240, and the Sabbath School enroll- Cook, Henry Kraber, William F. Weiser, ment, including all departments, 300.

707

. THE CITY OF YORK

In the spring of 1902, Big There were about sixty members in this United Presbyterian. Spring Presbytery, of the congregation in 1907. The entire church debt was then paid. United Presbyterian Church of North America, decided to begin work in the city of York, looking CATHOLIC CHURCHES. toward the organization of a United Pres- A quarter of a century be- St. Patrick's. fore the birth of American Independence one John Moore secured lot No. 295, facing on South Beaver Street, 57 feet, 6 inches, in breadth and 250 feet deep. On June 20, 1750 he as- signed this property to Casper Stillinger, who erected thereon a stone dwelling house. In 1776 Joseph Schmidt purchased the house and lot from the heirs of Casper Stillinger and presented them to the small and struggling congregation of St. Patrick to be used for public worship. byterian congregation. Different members of the presbytery held services in a hall at the corner of Market and Newberry Streets, during the summer. In September of the same year, the Rev. Charles E. Newcomb took up the work under the appointment of the Board of Home Missions. He preached his first sermon to an audience of six peo- ple. this was a small beginning, but realiz- ing that "Great oaks from little acorns grow," he pushed forward in the work. On the tenth day of January, 1903, the congre- gation was organized with fourteen charter When and where the first mass was said cannot be determined, as there are no records of the parish until 1776, but the congregation was formed about 1750, and was attended by missionaries from Balti- more. Conewago and Emmittsburg. members, under a provisional session ap- pointed by the presbytery, composed of John E. Jamison and T. A. McPherson, of Guinston, and W. McB. Grove, of Airville congregations.

The congregation is now fully organized and equipped in all departments for relig- ious services and is making very encourag- ing progress in the work. The church build- ing, situated on Market Street, above Hart- ley, was dedicated January 31, 1904, at a cost of $7,000. The work of building up a congregation is progressing under the direction of the Rev. Charles E. Newcomb. In June, 1894, a number of mem-

Faith bers of Zion A. M. E. Church, on King Street, laid plans for the or-

Church. ganization of a Presbyterian Church in York. Rev. E. W. Coberth, who had recently graduated from Lincoln Uni- versity, came to York and held religious services in a hall above Reineberg's shoe store on South George Street. The attend- ance was encouraging and in December, 1894, the church building vacated by Hei- edlberg Reformed congregation on North Duke Street, was purchased for the sum of $5,000. A congregation was organized dur- ing the early part of 1895, when Rev. Mr. Coberth was installed as pastor. He re- mained. six years. In 1900 Rev. Thomas Lee, recently graduated from Lincoln Uni- versity, who had won a philosophical prize from Chicago University, was called as pas- tor and remained six years. He was suc- ceeded, in 1906, by Rev. Charles McLurkin.

After considerable remodelling and re- pairing, the old stone dewelling was con- verted into quite a respectable place of worship. After its dedication to the service of God, there being no resident priest, the parish was attended by priests from Cone- wago, Adams County, Pa., who attended to the wants of the congregation by cele- brating Holy Mass and administering the Sacraments. This church continued to be used until 1809 when Rev. Thomas Neal, of Georgetown, Maryland, now District of Columbia, visited York and finding the church too small, determined to build a new one. As there was some doubt about the legality of the deed, Father Neal resolved before building, to obtain a new deed and succeeded in having the heirs of William Penn grant him the following deed:

"To the Rev. Thomas Neal, in trust for his heirs and assigns, to and for the only proper use, in behalf of the Roman Catholic Congregation of York, their successors and assigns forever. Sealed and delivered in the presence of John Small and John Forsyth."

This deed remained in the custody of some unknown person for a number of years unrecorded. At the present writing we find it was recorded in the York County courts in the year 1875. Book F. F. F. Page 347.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

The corner stone of the new building was phia to take charge of St. Mary's Church in laid in 1810 by the Rev. Father DeBarth, that city, he left York in 1854 and was suc- who occasionally visited York from Balti- more. ceeded as pastor of St. Patrick's by Rev. Patrick Reilly, who remained but a short Laughlin. After a few months he was changed and was succeeded by Rev, Syl- vester Eagle in 1855. Father Eagle placed an additional story on the pastoral resi- dence and made many other improvements. He died in 1866 and his remains were in- terred in the northeast end of the old church. After Father Eagle came Rev. Fa- ther McGuinis, who was succeeded in 1867 by Rev. Father Murray. Father Murray held a fair in the Court house and realized $1,200. He remodelled the church gener- ally, introducing gas, frescoing the interior and placing a furnace in the basement.

In the interval from 1810 to 1819 the time and was followed by Rev. Father Mc- congregation was supplied with priests from Baltimore, Conewago and other places, as up to 1819 there was no stationary priest here. In 1819 the first permanent rector made his advent in the person of Rev. Lawrence Huler, who remained in York six months, and was succeeded by Rev. G. B. Hogan, who re- mained two years and in turn was followed by Rev. P. J. Duen, in 1822, whose stay in York as rector covered a period of sixteen years. During his pastorate he found the church too small and he built an addition of fifteen feet, which was completed in 1833. Father Duen also attended Carlisle and de- voted much of his time to that mission. He

died February 22, 1838, and was buried be- ther Murray's successor. He built an addi- neath the church.

Shortly after the death of Father Duen, the congregation was blessed by the vener- able Father Rafferty, who furnished the church with new pews, organized a choir, bought an organ, added the steeple to the church and later procured a bell. Being removed from York in 1841, he went to St. Francis Xavier Church in Philadelphia, and for one year the parish was without a pas- tor. In 1842 Father Kelly was sent to York, but remained only eight months vis- iting also the parish at Columbia. On his departure the church was again left with- otu a pastor for one year. Rev. Father Mackin was the next priest stationed in York. He came in 1844 and after a short stay of seven months was changed. Rev. B. A. Shorb, a native of York County, suc- ceeded Father Mackin and remained until 1846, when Father M. F. Martin assumed charge.

During his residence in York Father Mar- tin improved the church in many ways. In 1851 he purchased the property adjoining the church on the north side. (Recorded in Book I. I. I. I., Page 555. April 10, 1862). After repairing and remodelling the house he changed it into a pastoral residence. He also remodelled the building on the rear of the property and he opened the first parochial school.

Being called by the Bishop of Philadel-

In 1870 Rev. Father McGovern, after- wards Bishop of Harrisburg, came as Fa- tion to the pastoral residence, placed granite steps in front of the house and made many other improvements. He organized a tem- perance society and later St. Patrick's Ben- eficial Society, which at present is in a very flourishing condition with a strong mem- bership. Father McGovern left in 1873 and was followed by Father McElvaine, in the same year. Toward the end of the year Father McGonigal was appointed pastor.

Father Charles Kenney was the next pas- tor, coming in 1875. On August 10, of the same year Father Kenney introduced the Sisters of Charity of Mt. St. Vincents, as teachers in the parochial schools, Sister In- nocentia being the superior. Father Ken- ney was followed in 1880 by Father Mc- Kenna who remained until 1882.

Father John B. Shannahan was the next pastor. During his pastorate he purchased in 1883, from William Felty, over six acres of ground along the Baltimore turnpike, south of this city, to be used as a cemetery. In 1885 he left York to study in Europe, Rev. James O'Reilly taking his place. Father O'Reilly built a beautiful school and

hall on the rear of the church property. In 1890 Rev. Charles Galligan came as assist- ant to Father O'Reilly and remained six months. In 1891 Father O'Reilly was re- moved to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Mt. Carmel, Pa. Father Galligan returned to take charge until 1892 when Rev. T. F.

709

THE CITY OF YORK

Kennedy was appointed regular pastor. Carey came to take the place of Father Father Kennedy remained only one year, E. Burchard who, on account of ill health, then Father Galligan returned as pastor. was forced to take a vacation.

In 1895 Father Galligan undertook the work of erecting a new church on the site of the old one. The old church was torn down to give place to a larger and more beautiful edifice. The corner stone was laid in October, 1895, by Rt. Rev. Bishop, Mc- Govern. Father Galligan's health failing he was obliged to leave York in 1896 and Rev. John Thompson was given temporary charge of the parish.

On February 13, 1897, Father W. J. Hooman came from Lewistown as pastor, and at once undertook to complete and fur- nish the new church. It was dedicated September 11, 1898, by the very Rev. J. J. Koch, D. D., the administrator. The Mass was celebrated by Father McCann, with Father Foin, of Hanover, as Deacon, and Father Mewoese, of Mt. Carmel, Sub. Dea- con, with Father Benton, of Steelton, as Master of Ceremonies. The sermon was preached by Father D. I. McDermot, of St. Mary's Church, Philadelphia. The priests present on the occasion were Rev. Fathers Crotty, from Littlestown; Schleuter, from St. Mary's, York; Hollern, from Columbia ; Reudter, from New Freedom ; Walsh, from Baltimore, and Kohl, from Harrisburg.

The cost of the church was between $35,- who died on June 4, 1859, and was buried 000 and $40,000. It was during Father Hooman's pastorate in York of over seven years that the parish rapidly increased and the work became too much for one priest. Father Dougherty was the first assistant appointed, coming in 1901. He was suc- ceeded in turn by Fathers Brady, Costigan, Clarke and Burchard.

According to the last annual report the congregation numbers 268 families with I,228 souls. One hundred and ninety chil- dren attend the parochial schools taught by four Sisters of Charity from Mt. St. Vincents on the Hudson.

Father Hooman left York on May 22, St. Mary's and during his incumbency the 1904, and was appointed to St. Peter's Church, Columbia, Pa. The debt on the church when Father Hooman left was $7,500.

St. Mary's Catholic Church St. Mary's Church. was founded in 1852. Till then the German Catholics of York had belonged to St. Patrick's . Church, of which the Rev. Father Martin was pastor. The German Catholics of York had repeatedly forwarded a petition to Rt. Rev. J. H. Neuman, Bishop of Philadelphia, for permission to build and form a separate parish. In 1852 the bishop deputed the Rev. J. Cotting, S. J., of Conewago, Adams County, to call a meeting of the Catholic Germans, in which they decided to build a church and they then bought the plot of ground on South George Street. The first pastor was Rev. Father Wachter, a Tyro- lean, who started a German school and bought a lot for a graveyard on the Balti- more pike, now part of the upper end of South George Street. About that time the small congregation of German Catholics, near New Freedom and Shrewsbury, which had been attended from Baltimore by the Redemptorist Fathers, became an out-mis- sion of St. Mary's parish, York, as was also the case with the congregation of Dallas- town. Father Wachter then received for an assistant the Rev. F. X. Treyer, a Swiss,

in St. Mary's cemetery, York. Rev. Philip Woerner was the next pastor and was suc- ceeded in 1859 by the Rev. Matthew Meu- rer, a young priest, who had celebrated his first Mass in St. Mary's Church, under Father Wachter. Rev. Matthew Meurer remained until October 20, 1861, when the Rev. Joseph Hamm was appointed to St. Mary's Church. During his term the old school house was removed to the rear of the church and a new two story pastoral resi- dence of brick was built adjoining the church. In December, 1866, the Rev. R. Baumeister, Westphalia, became rector of large Diocese of Philadelphia, comprising nearly the whole state of Pennsylvania was divided into four dioceses, namely, Phila- delphia, raised to the rank of an arch di- ocese, Harrisburg, Scranton and Wilming- ton. The Bishop of Harrisburg had under his charge the Catholics of York and ser-

Rev. J. J. Hollern, of St. Peter's, Colum- bia, Pa., was appointed to succeed Father Hooman, and took charge on the Feast of Pentecost, May 22, 1904. July I, Rev. D. enteen other counties of Pennsylvania. The

710

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Rev. J. George Pape, a native of Warren- church for a rectory, but owing to ill health dorf, Wesphalia, took charge of St. Mary's resigned after an incumbency of eleven months to go to Los Angeles, California. The Rev. L. Augustus Reudter took charge of St. Mary's parish on Palm Sunday, 1905, and remained until the 14th of July, 1906, when he was followed by the present rector of St. Mary's Church, Rev. Clement C. Berger. congregation and out-missions in Novem- ber, 1868. In the following year he began a new school building and gave the paroch- ial schools into the charge of the Franciscan Sisters of Philadelphia, Sister M. Hiero- nyma, being the first superior. In 1863 the old St. Mary's cemetery, having become too small, the Rev. Father Pape bought six METHODIST CHURCHES. acres of ground from William Felty (lying along the Baltimore pike, about two miles from the church) for a new graveyard, into which, after the cemetery had been blessed by the pastor, the dead were transferred from the old one. In 1884 a fair was held and funds collected for a new church which was begun in the spring of 1884. The con- gregation assisted the pastor to their ut- most ability. New bells were purchased by F. Pfeffer and J. Mayer and blessed by the Rt. Rev. Bishop J. F. Shannahan, De- cember 29, 1884. ' Beautiful stained glass windows and the stations of the cross oil paintings were given by different parish- ioners and friends of the pastor, while the

The doctrines of Methodism were first preached to the people of York and vicinity by Freeborn Garretson, near the close of the Revolution. Garretson was a native of Maryland and of Quaker descent. His an- cestors were among the earliest settlers in the upper end of York County. John Wes- ley had visited America shortly before the Revolution, and preached the doctrines which he originated, from South Carolina to New York. One of the missionaries who visited this country was Francis Asbury, who became the first bishop of the Metho- dist Church in America. Asbury travelled through the states preaching the gospel of church societies presented the handsome peace and goodwill to thousands of listen- Gothic altar. The church has three steeples, ers. About this time, a wave of infidelity the main steeple, the center one, being 185 had spread over France and gained a foot- hold in the United States. It was to coun- teract this influence that these pioneer Methodists labored in America with zealous interest in the cause of christianity. feet high, with a large gilt cross on top, and in this steeple are three fine bells. The new church was dedicated on Whit Mon- day, 1885. It is built in New Gothic style, has a seating capacity of 860 and cost $30,- 000. The two large chandeliers were given by J. Mayer and the iron fence in front of the church by H. Boll. An organ was bought for $3,000. In the fall of 1888, the Rev. J. George Pape, owing to ill health, re- signed from the pastorate of St. Mary's Church, and was succeeded by the Rev. Henry Relt, who soon won not only the af- fection of his people but also of a great many non-Catholics. Pastor Relt died on May 25, 1895, and his demise was univer- sally mourned by the people of York. The Rev. L. Augustus Reudter, who had been

Freeborn Garretson had listened to the preaching of Wesley and Asbury and ac- cepted their faith in 1775. From that time forth, he devoted his whole career to evan- gelistic work, preaching from Nova Scotia to the Gulf of Mexico. He was a man of fine personal appearance. His persuasive manner and eloquent voice attracted all his hearers. James Worley owned and occu- pied the farm on West York Avenue, ex- tended, later the property of Jacob Loucks. During the latter part of December, 1780, he sent his hired man with a four horse wagon to Baltimore, and on the return trip in charge of St. Mary's during the Rev. H. a violent snow storm required the team to Relt's illness, changed places with Rev. halt at a tavern twelve miles north of Bal- Clement Augustus Schleuter, of New Free- timore, on the way toward York. This wagon was loaded with goods for York merchants. On account of the snow the hired man sent home for two horses to aid in drawing the heavy load to York. James dom, who became the successor of the Rev. H. Relt on June 19, 1895, where he re- mained until 1904, when he was succeeded by the Rev. George Seubert, who frescoed the church and bought the house below the Worley took the horses down, and while

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 127

Author: Prowell, George R. Publication date: 1907 Publisher: J. H. Beers Number of Pages: 1372

Author: Prowell, George R.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1372