History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 128

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

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7II

THE CITY OF YORK

stopping at a tavern on the wayside between were being held. John Joseph Henry York and Baltimore, met Freeborn Gar- was president judge of the York County retson and heard him preach from the text, Courts from 1793 to 18II, and when "Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is his attention was called by the Meth- a new creature and old things are passed away, behold all things are become new."

Worley was impressed with the earnest- ness of the young preacher and invited him to York. The invitation was accepted and on January 24, 1781, the first Methodist ser- mon was preached to the citizens of York at the farm house of James Worley. He was invited to become the guest of Rev. Daniel Wagner, and at the request of many people, preached his new doctrines in the German Reformed Church. Pastor Wag- ner at first became deeply interested in the evangelist, but when it was discovered that Garretson desired to establish a congrega- tion of Methodists, the German Reformed Church doors were closed against him. He then proceeded on his evangelistic tour, stopping next at Lewisberry, where he preached to the Quakers of that vicinity. The religious services which he conducted at the Worley farm house, near York, re- sulted in the conversion of a number of per- sons, among whom were James Worley and his family.

Jacob Sitler, then a prominent Church.

First citizen of York, and a friend of Methodism, erected a building at In 1807, Francis Asbury, the first bishop of the Methodist Church in America visited York and preached to large audiences in the primitive church. While here he was the guest of Weirich Pentz, one of the founders of the church. The same year, the first camp meeting in York County was held in a grove on the land of Weirich Pentz, a short distance southwest of town. The congregation at York then belonged to the Carlisle Circuit. In 1818 the conference made York a station and Rev. Daniel Hall became pastor. He was a physician as well as a clergyman. the northwest corner of Phila- delphia and Newberry Streets, in which the early Methodists worshipped. It was a wooden structure with a fireplace at one end and the ground for a floor. The congrega- tion had been organized in 1782 and the principal male members were Weirich Pentz, John Dobbins, Daniel Nailor and George Test. Class meetings were organ- ized and prayer meetings held regularly in this pioneer building. Preaching services were occasionally held by travelling mis- sionaries. Some time before 1800, the Methodists began to hold services "at early Rev. Andrew Hemphill was sent by the conference in 1819 and during his pastor- ate an addition was built to the western end of the meeting house. The congrega- tion was incorporated as the First Metho- dist Episcopal Church of York in 1820, candle light." Previous to this time, no churches in York had conducted evening services because it was claimed that such meetings would "corrupt the morals of the young people." Crowds attended these meetings. Some troublesome visitors cre- when George Nailor, John Dobbins, Weirich ated a disturbance, even going so far Pentz, John Lay, Ezekiel Boring, William as to throw two young lambs into the Jones, John Voglesong, James S. Cauley audience room where revival services and Henry Doll became the original board

odists to the riotous conduct of some per- sons who attended their meetings the ven- erable judge failed to entertain a charitable view of the situation He issued no mandate only remarking there was sufficient time during the day to hold religious services.

There was no regular supply of preaching until 1800, when Rev. James Smith, of Bal- timore, was sent by the conference to min- ister to the growing congregation at York. He was a man of force and impressive elo- quence. His zeal for the cause which he advocated and the doctrines of the Metho- dist Church, which he preached so elo- quently, attracted large audiences. Not only the church was filled with people but hundreds stood in the yard outside and lis- tened through the windows to this devoted follower of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. His evening meetings at- tracted so much attention, that other churches in York adopted the same plan and thereafter held regular evening ser- vices. Under Rev. Smith, the Methodist congregation was increased in membership. and the church building was enlarged and improved.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

of trustees. The children of the Methodist congregation joined the first Union Sun- day School, organized in 1817, in a building next door west of the Friends' Meeting House, on Philadelphia Street. In 1824 the Methodists established a denomina- tional school and the same year erected a Sunday School building adjoining the church.

The congregation continued to worship in the original meeting house until 1836, and two years later sold the building and site to the First United Brethren Church of York. In 1833 the congregation purchased a lot at the northwest corner of Philadel- phia and Beaver Streets. In 1836 a church building, with a lecture room, was erected on this site at a cost of $16,000. It was dedicated June, 1837, Rev. George Cook- man officiating. In order to pay a part of the debt, the board of trustees decided to purchase mulberry trees to the amount of $400 and have them cultivated as a profit- able investment. As early as 1835 silk , culture had been introduced into southern Pennsylvania. Hundreds of people pur- chased the mulberry tree, technically known as the Maurus Multocaulus. In 1840 the business had declined because the silk worm could not be successfully utilized in this climate and the Methodists lost money by their venture.

In 1850 gas was introduced into the church building. The debt on the church was finally paid in 1853, during the pastor- ate of Rev. Robert S. Vinton. As the re- sult of revivals while Rev. John Stine was pastor, 1855-60, 300 members were added to the congregation. The Pennsylvania Conference met in this church in 1863. It was presided over by Bishop Scott. In 1864 a melodeon was purchased for the Sun- day School and later used in the church ser- vices. A fair was held that year in Wash- ington hall, and the sum of $800 was rea- lized.

In 1873 the meeting house was torn down and a church built upon the same site at a cost of $24,500. At the laying of the corner stone, June, 1873, Bishop Simpson preached an eloquent sermon. The dedication ser- vices took place December 28, 1873.

Street Church was founded by members of this congregation in 1861. Ridge Avenue, Epworth and West Street churches of York, have also been founded by support received from this congregation. The First Church has always been liberal in its contributions to home and foreign missions, and is the second congregation within the Central Pennsylvania Conference in lending finan- cial support to the general work of the Methodist Episcopal Church in this country and abroad. The pulpit has always been supplied with clergymen of ability and ex- perience. Improvements have frequently been made to the church property. In 1905 the sum of $15,000 was expended in fres- coing and carpeting the audience and lec- ture rooms, painting the church and pur- chasing a pipe organ at a cost of $4,000.

The membership of this congregation under the pastorate of Rev. J. Ellis Bell, in 1907, was 700. The Sunday School, which was founded in 1824, has been continued since that date. In 1907 it had a member- ship of 600. Charles H. Stallman has been superintendent for a period of ten years.

The pastors who have served this con- gregation in order of succession since 1820, have been: William Prettyman, Robert S. Vinton, Tobias Reily, Joseph Larkin, Charles A. Davis, Basil Barry, Henry Smith, John A. Gere, Edward Smith, Charles Kalfus, Tobias Reily, John L. Gibbons, John Poisel, John C. Lyon, John A. Henning, George C. Chen- owith, Joseph France, James Sewell, Wil- liam Wicks, William D. Clemm, Robert S. Vinton, James Brads, John Stine, Joseph A. Ross, D. S. Monroe, Joseph France, John H. C. Dosch, N. S. Buckingham, William R. Mills, Henry C. Westwood, W. M. Ryan, M. D., D. S. Monroe, A. M. Barnitz, S. L. Bowman, D. D., J. H. McGarrah, S. C. Swallow, J. Max Lantz, B. C. Conner, J. H. McGarrah, Richard Hinkle, M. L. Ganoe, D. D., J. Ellis Bell.

On March 21, 1861, Rev. W. Mas-

Duke. lin Frysinger was appointed to Street York Mission and preached on Church. the street until July 14, of the same year, when the mission chapel was dedicated, the money and mate- rials being furnished largely by the members

The First Methodist Episcopal Church, of York, has had a prosperous existence since from the York station. A Sunday School the time it was chartered in 1820.

Duke was organized with forty scholars. The

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THE CITY OF YORK

mission, by the next conference numbered 139 scholars. Dr. Frysinger returned the second year, and Gates J. Weiser was elected superintendent of the school in 1862. Rev. W. W. Evans was appointed 1863, and remained three years. The first trustees were Caleb Kepner, John Mitzel, Henry Reisinger, D. A. Warfield, William Gehring, J. W. Buckingham, O. P. Weiser, all of whom were chosen in 1861.

Rev. E. T. Swartz was appointed in 1866, and served one year. In 1867 Rev. L. S. Crone was appointed and served one year, being succeeded by Rev. J. H. S. Clarke, in 1868. Rev. W. H. Norcross was appointed in 1870. It was during this year the charge was connected with Goldsboro appointment, and became self-sustaining.

Rev. G. D. Pennypacker was appointed March, 1871, and this year the church was built. The corner stone was laid June 19, 1871. The lecture room was dedicated by Bishop E. R. Ames the following Novem- ber. The work on the church was then abandoned until the next spring, because of the lack of funds. Rev. G. W. Miller was appointed in March, 1872, and the church was dedicated November 29, 1872, by Bishop Thomas Bowman.

The indebtedness on the church was car- ried ten years, through the pastoral terms of G. W. Miller, H. R. Bender, T. S. Wil- cox and John Vrooman. The last of these finally cancelled it, after being decreased. He served the church one year more, and was succeeded in 1883 by Rev. A. R. Cronce. During his pastorate of three years improvements were made on the church property to the amount of $1,000, and all debts paid. The pastors in order of succession since 1886 have been: William H. Ferguson, A. M. Barnitz, John R. Dunk- erly, W. Perry Eveland, Orlando G. Heck, E. E. A. Deavor, Charles W. Wasson. In 1907 the church membership was 350 and the Sunday School had an enrollment of 300. A pipe organ was purchased in 1905 at a cost of $2,500.

Rev. George W. Miller, D. D., one of the pastors of this church, has since become one of the most noted pulpit orators of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America. During the Civil war a Confederate bullet lodged in one of his lungs. This wound impaired his health for many years, but

he finally recovered from it. Rev. W. P. Eveland has recently been chosen president of Williamsport Seminary, a prominent ed- ucational institution in Pennsylvania.

Ridge

Ridge Avenue Methodist Episco- pal Church was organized in

Avenue. 1883, as the result of a mission and Sunday School founded by Rev. Silas C. Swallow, D. D., who was then pastor of Beaver Street Methodist Episco- pal Church. The same year a church build- ing was erected at a cost of $2,500 at the corner of Ridge Avenue and East Philadel- phia Street, extended, then situated in the village of Freystown, until its annexation to the city of York. Ridge Avenue Church being situated in a section of the city which is growing rapidly has prospered. The pastors in order of succession have been: M. J. Runyan, J. W. Forrest, O. T. Metzler, J. B. Brenneman, Edwin L. Es- linger, J. P. Buford, John Horning, J. B. Mann, F. T. Vought, Joseph. Gray, S. C. Carnill.

Rev. Carnill became pastor of the congre- gation in 1905. The church membership in 1907 was 165, and the membership of the Sunday School fifty.

Epworth Methodist Episcopal

Epworth Church, at the corner of Hartley Church. Street and Salem Avenue, was founded in 1881 through the ef- forts of Rev. S. C. Swallow, D. D., pastor of the First M. E. Church. A lot was purchased on West Princess Street, near Hartley, and a chapel erected. It was dedicated free of debt January 8, 1882, Rev. W. M. Frysinger officiating. A revival service was held in the new chapel. This service, as well as the Sunday School, organized about a year prior under the leadership of William H. Shelley, attracted the families which be- came the nucleus of the new church, known as "The Princess Street Methodist Episco- pal Chapel."

Members of the Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Church served this growing congregation, preaching in the chapel on Princess street as follows: G. W. Stevens, the first pastor, 1882-1884; M. J. Runyan and J. W. Forrest, 1884-1885 : O. S. Metzler, 1885-1888; R. T. Whitney, 1888- 1890; V. T. Rue, 1890-1894; F. M. Welsh, 1894-1895; H. D. Flanegan, 1895-1898; F. C. Buyers, 1898-1900. It was under the pas-

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

torate of Rev. Buyers that the church was incorporated May 2, 1898, and its name changed to "The Epworth Methodist Epis- copal Church." Lots were purchased on Hartley Street and Salem Avenue and an imposing brick edifice was erected, through the efforts of the pastor. The corner stone was laid September 11, 1898. The dedica- tory services were held May 14, 1889, Revs. V. T. Rue, M. L. Ganoe, D. D., and E. J. Gray, D. D., president of Williamsport Dickinson Seminary, taking part in the ex- ercises.

The following preachers have since served the charge: E. A. Pyles, 1900-1903 ; E. G. Baker, 1903-1905. The present pas- tor, Rev. Alvin S. Williams, was appointed in 1905. During his pastorate a parsonage was built on Hartley Street. In 1907 the congregation had a membership of 250 and the Sunday School an enrollment of 300. The valuation of the church property, in- cluding the parsonage, is $20,000.

Early in the year 1888 Rev. B. C.

West Conner, then pastor of the First

Street Methodist Episcopal Church of

Church. York, and some of the leading members of his congregation, conceived the idea that there was a field for Methodist Episcopal church in the a rapidly growing western portion of the ders of Canada, and some remained in York. city. For this purpose money was readily contributed by the congregation and a lot of ground on the corner of Philadelphia and West Streets was procured from Lewis E. Smyser. Here a ground-breaking service was held July 2, 1888. The corner-stone was laid with appropriate services on the evening of August 4, and the West Street Methodist Episcopal Church was dedicated November 25th of the same year, Bishop Cyrus D. Foss preaching the dedication ser- mon.

It was on December 2, that 120 persons met in the lecture room of the church to or- ganize a Sunday School. Prof. W. H. Shel- ley was elected superintendent. The work continued under the direct control of First Church until the Annual Conference, which met May 20, 1889, at Shamokin, Pennsyl- vania, appointed Rev. Richard Brooks pas- tor to take charge of this new work. The congregation was organized April 21, 1889, with a membership numbering thirteen. During the year 1895 a parsonage was built; Church, purchased a site on East King

and the arrangements for the work of the church were completed. The membership numbers sixty-five, and the Sunday School has enrolled in all its departments 175 mem- bers. An Epworth League, with both senior and junior departments organized, guards the interests of the young people.

The following pastors have served the congregation since its organization: Rich- ard Brooks, 1889-1890; J. F. Kerlin, 1890- 1892; P. F. Eyer, 1892-1897 ; A. M. Barnitz, 1897-1900; J. B. Brenneman, 1900-1902; F. H. Brunstetter, 1902-1904; M. N. Walker, 1904-1905: Amos M. Bruce, 1905-1907.

During the early history of York, people of the colored race attended divine services at different churches and occupied seats on the gallery. There were a number of col- ored slaves in York until the abolition of slavery by act of the Pennsylvania Assem- bly in 1781.

As early as 1810, a number of negroes, some of them escaped slaves and others free negroes who were manumitted in the south, began to pass through the town. Most of them crossed the Susquehanna at Wrights- ville and remained at Columbia, while others crossed the river at Etter's Ferry and took up their abode at Middletown. Still others moved farther northward even to the bor-

In 1819, the descendants of the early col- ored people of York, and some of those who migrated here from the south, began to hold religious services under their own auspices. They received encouragement from theother churches of York and with the assistance of some prominent citizens purchased a site and erected a church on North Duke Street. This church stood on the east side of the street, on a site later owned and occupied by the Billmeyer & Small Co., near the rail- road. The church was dedicated Novem- ber 28, 1819. The first trustees were John Joice, Richard Butler, John Lindenberger, Edward Young and Israel Williams. Rich- ard Butler lived to an advanced age and died in the year 1905. The colored people of York worshipped in this building which was also used as a colored school for sixty years, when the building and site was pur- chased by the Billmeyer & Small Co. In the year 1880, the congregation which be- longed to the African Methodist Episcopal

VIEW OF YORK IN 1850

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THE CITY OF YORK

Street, between Duke and Queen, where a of United Brethren in Christ was founded, brick church was erected at a cost of $5,000. he never seems to have withdrawn his con- The building committee, composed of mem- bers of the congregation, were James L. Smallwood, Greenbury Robinson, A. How- ard, I. Gooden, R. S. Wilson. James L. Smallwood, for a period of twenty-five years, taught the colored school in York. The corner-stone of the church was laid October 24, 1880, and dedicated August 14, 1881. The church has since prospered and increased in membership and has connected with it a flourishing Sunday School. nection with the German Reformed Church which had licensed him to preach the gospel in his native land after he had completed his theological studies. He died in Balti- more, November 17, 1813, at the age of 87 years. His high Christian character and his ability as a pulpit orator and a theolo- gian were universally recognized by all who heard his eloquence. At the time of his death, his denomination had 100 active min- isters of the gospel, and its membership had

UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST.

This religious denomination was founded through the ministrations of Rev. Philip William Otterbein, who was born in Dil- lenberg, Germany, June 4, 1726. He ob- tained a liberal education in his native coun- try, and was ordained minister in the Ger- man Reformed Church at Herborn in 1749. In 1752, at the age of 26, he came to Amer- ica as a missionary and preached in Lancas- ter and York Counties. Otterbein intro- duced in his religious teachings, prayer meetings, class meetings and conducted re- ligious services in the open air. He was pastor of the First Reformed Church at York from 1765 to 1774, and also preached to various Reformed congregations through- out York County. In 1766, while holding religious meetings in Lancaster County, he met Martin Boehm, a noted Evangelist of the Mennonite Church, who was then preaching to large audiences in the barn of Isaac Long, a prominent farmer. After hearing Boehm preach an impressive ser- mon, Otterbein congratulated him and said "we are brethren." It was this incident that gave rise to the name of the denomina- tion United Brethren in Christ.

Otterbein was an earnest and impressive speaker and his eloquent sermons were lis- tened to by large audiences. In the year 1774 he went from York to Baltimore, tion, became pastor. He found a member- where he remained thirty-nine years as one of the leading clergymen of that city. At first he was the pastor of a Reformed church and later organized the first congregation of the United Brethren in Christ in Balti- more in a church standing at the corner of Sharp and Conway Streets. While Otter- bein advocated revivals and promulgated the doctrines of which the denomination

reached 20,000. The first Conference of the church was held in Baltimore in 1799, and the second near Big Spring in Cumber- land County, at the house in which Rev. John W. Nevin, D. D., the distinguished theologian of the Reformed Church, was born. The pioneer church of this denom- ination in York County was founded in Windsor Township, now within the limits of the Borough of Windsorville, where its history will be found.

In 1840, the Missionary Society

First in connection with the Otterbein Church. Church at Baltimore, established a mission in York and sent Rev. Christian S. Crider to begin the work. At the same time, the Methodist Episcopal congregation of York, offered their church for sale. It stood on the site of the United Brethren Church, at the corner of Phila- delphia and Newberry Streets, and was bought for $1,500. Peter Rawhauser. of Dover, and Adam Strayer, of Winterstown, and Jacob Ehrhart. of York Township, were chosen trustees. Rev. Crider organized the congregation and ministered to it for two and one-half years and was succeeded by Rev. Jacob Rinehart, who remained two years, during which time a parsonage was built. Rev. Enoch Hoffman succeeded, re- maining two years. In 1847, Rev. J. C. Smith, one of the fathers of the denomina- ship of fifty. At the expiration of four years the congregation increased to 125 members. In 1851 Rev. W. B. Wagner assumed charge, remained three years and was fol- lowed by Rev. W. B. Raber for three years. Rev. J. C. Smith became pastor again in 1857 and remained four years. When he retired there were 237 members. Rev. Sam- uel Enterline succeeded as pastor for two

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

years, and Rev. Jacob Erb, two years, until 1866, when Rev. J. C. Smith became pastor a third time. During this pastorate a new church was built at a cost of $13,000. The building committee was composed of Charles Lafean, Rev. D. Eberly, Jacob Alli- son, Henry Licking, and Rev. J. C. Smith. There were 357 members. Rev. W. B. Ra- ber was called a second time and was fol- lowed by Rev. J. P. Smith and Rev. J. P. Miller. Rev. J. R. Meredith was called and remained three years, during which time the church was repaired and partly refurnished at a cost of $1,500. Rev. I. H. Albright served from 1885 to 1890, during which time many were added to the church. Also through his efforts the Third United Brethren Church was organ- ized.

In 1890 Rev. J. D. Killian was appointed to the pastorate. Under his direction in 1891 Semi-Centennial anniversary services were held, which were a credit alike to pas- tor and people. Rev. M. J. Heberly became pastor in 1892. Rev. H. B. Spayd followed him in 1894 and served the congregation for seven and a half years. During this time the Fourth and Fifth churches were organ- ized. Rev. C. L. Wisswaesser became pas- tor in March, 1902, and served for twenty months. During his pastorate the Sunday School room was repaired and a fine pipe organ installed.

In October, 1903, Rev. Joseph Daugherty was appointed to the charge. During the first year of his pastorate improvements were made to the parsonage to the extent of about $600. Every department of the church is thoroughly organized and effi- cient work is being done. The membership of the church has been increased from the beginning of his pastorate to 1907, from 337 to 406. The Sunday School has an enroll- ment of 685, including the Home and Cradle Roll departments. C. B. Pennypacker, principal of the York High School, is the superintendent.

The Second United Brethren Second Church in Christ of York was or- Church. ganized by Rev. J. H. Young in 1873. Twenty members of the First United Brethren Church joined the new organization and soon thereafter a plot of ground was bought on the southeast corner of Duke and South Streets for a ment of 570 scholars.

consideration of $4,000. On the said lot was a brick building suitable for a parson- age.

Immediately Rev. Young began the task of building a house of worship and in this he succeeded by erecting a frame structure costing $1,070. He was assisted in his la- bors by Rev. W. B. Raber, pastor of the First United Brethren Church. Rev. Young served the charge two years, from March, 1873, to March, 1875. The congregation grew rapidly under his pastorate. In the spring of 1875, Rev. A. H. Rice was ap- pointed pastor and served the charge for a term of two years, until March, 1877. At the conference of 1877 Rev. J. C. Smith was appointed pastor and served for a termof five years, ending his pastorate March, 1882. He was succeeded by Rev. H. B. Dohner, from March, 1882, to March, 1884. In the spring of 1884 Rev. C. A. Burtner was ap- pointed pastor and served the charge for three years, ending his pastorate in March, 1887. He was succeeded by Rev. J. T. Sheaffer until March, 1890. Rev. H. A. Schlichter was appointed pastor in the year 1890, who served one year. During his short pastorate he solicited several thousand dollars preparatory for the build- ing of a new church. He was succeeded by Rev. C. A. Burtner in the year 1891. This was the second time Rev. Burtner was ap- pointed pastor of this congregation and be- fore him was the task of paying a consider- able debt on the parsonage and of build- ing a new church edifice. He succeeded and after a term of three years was elected Presiding Elder of the Baltimore District, and left the charge in 1894. All these years the charge was in part supported by the Missionary Board of the Conference, but now it showed signs of being able to support its own pastor. In 1894 Rev. C. T. Stearn, D. D., took charge of the congrega- tion and served for eight years, ending his pastorate in the year 1902, at which time he was elected presiding elder and ap- pointed to the Baltimore District. During his pastorate the charge became self-sus- taining. Rev. A. R. Ayres was appointed in 1902. The new church built by Rev. Burt- ner, with the parsonage adjoining, is valued at $15,000. The membership in 1907 was 260. The Sunday School has an enroll-

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 128

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