History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended, Part 106

Author: Gibson, John, Editor
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago
Number of Pages: 1104

USA > Pennsylvania > York County > History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended > Part 106

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The second pastor was the Rev. Dr. W. M. Baum. He began his ministry January 1, 1862, and continued for twelve years, resign- ing in February, 1874. The present beauti- ful church edifice is largely the monument of his tact, perseverance, and ability as a pastor. A large part of the present membership of the church was brought into it through his instrumentality.

The present pastor, the Rev. Luther A. Gotwald, D. D., began his labors in this church on the first Sunday in April, 1874. After an experience of eleven years, he states that he has found the congregation kind, united, liberal and faithful in the discharge of their Christian duties. St. Paul's Church is one of the finest and one of the most delight- fully located churches in Pennsylvania.

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of York. - This congregation was organized October 19, 1847, as the English branch of the First Lutheran Church. About 100 members of the old congregation joined the new, and elected E. G. Smyser, Adam Klinefelter, George A. Barnitz and Alex. Demuth, elders; and W. F. Shetter, Benjamin Ziegler, John Busser and Adam Bott, wardens.

539

BOROUGH OF YORK.

The causes which brought about this or- ganization were, the demand for larger church accommodations, and, on the part of many members, a demand for preaching and worship in the English language, exclusively.

Under, the arrangement made by the old and new organizations, there were certain franchises granted by the "corporate ves- try" to the new or English branch. All the church property was held in common. This arrangement continued until March 3, 1860, when a committee was appointed, consisting of George A. Barnitz and E. G. Smyser, to procure an "act of incorporation" for the English branch of the congregation, which was granted by the court. This same committee was intended to confer with a similar commit- tee of the "corporate vestry" in relation to a division of the church property. On April 6, 1861, the committees of the two councils met and arranged articles of agreement on the pay- ment of certain church debts,and on the divis- ion of the church property, and such other matters as pertain thereto, which articles were signed by the committees as representatives of both congregations. Afterward these articles of agreement were ratified by the respective church councils. In 1863, the "corporate vestry" of the First Lutheran Church exe- ented a deed, conveying the church lots fronting on South Duke Street, with Zion Church and the parsonage erected thereon, together with the graveyard, and all the ground then enclosed in fences to the "Second English Lutheran . Church"-the corporate title of the English branch.

The first pastor was Rev. J. A. Brown, of Baltimore, elected January 22, 1848, and resigned May 10, 1849. Rev. A. Essick, of the Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, was the second pastor. He served from Sep- tember 11, 1849, to April 6, 1850. Rev. Charles Martin, M. D., of New York, was called and entered upon his pastoral work. February, 1851. During his ministry the church on South Duke Street was finished. The corner-stone was laid August 15, 1850, while the congregation was vacant. Rev. Dr. Lochman, pastor of the parent church, conducted the exercises of the corner-stone laying, and contributed much in counsel, encouragement and sympathy, and the par- ent congregation assisted largely in the erec- tion of the building, and both pastor and people continued in the most friendly and sympathetic relation with the young congre- gation during the entire ministry of Dr. Lochman in the old church,

The church was dedicated July 13, 1851. Its dimensions were 72 feet in length, and 52

in width, with basement, affording ample ac- commodations at that time for church and Sunday-school purposes. It cost $6,800, and . was dedicated Zion Evangelical Luthera Church.

Rev. Dr. Martin resigned in January 1855, after serving the congregation effi- ciently for four years, and considerably in- creasing the membership.

Rev. A. W. Lilly, D. D., of Baltimore, the present pastor, was elected on April 17, 1855, and began his pastoral work June 1, following. The work prospered, the congre- gation increased, harmony and good-will prevailed. There was cordial co-operation and the accommodations became inadequate to the necessities of the congregation. In 1869, an addition of twenty-five feet was built to the rear of the church. In addition to this a recess of twelve feet was attached for pulpit and library and pastor's study. With this extension, the auditorium furnishes a larger seating capacity than any church room in the town. The cost of this enlarge- ment was about $12,000.

At the anniversary, in 1885, the pastor re- ported 445 members. The fact that seven Lutheran congregations occupy this town of 18,000 or 19,000 of a population, invests the material and draws the line closely. But there is room and work for all, and for all other Christian denominations. The Sun- day-school numbers about 450 scholars and forty-eight teachers, and is divided into two adult Bible classes, intermediate depart- ment and infant department.

Union Evangelical Lutheran Church. - This church is located in the western part of York, on the south side of Market Street. As that portion of town began to grow rapidly, the members of the Lutheran Church desired a place of worship west of the Codorus. Feb- ruary 12, 1859, a meeting was held in the schoolhouse on the corner of King and Mar- ket Streets for the purpose of effecting an or- ganization; John Weyer, Joseph Smyser, Adam Smyser, Christian Bender, Jacob Her- man and Jacob Kessler were elected elders, and John Kraber and George Leitner, dea- cons; Rev. C. J. Deininger, of York, pre- sided. A charter was granted March 12. 1859. A lot was purchased for $1,000; W. M. Weiser contracted to build the church for $5,636. On Ascension Day, June 2, 1859, the corner stone was laid, when all the prot- estant clergymen of York were present. In February, 1860, Rev. J. H. Menges was elected pastor, and the church was dedicated the same month. Revs. Kurtz, McCron, Lochman, Oswald, Lilly, Menges and S. Os-

540

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

wald were present. The cost of the church and lot was $8,007; nearly the entire amount was paid by the time of the dedication. Rev. J. H. Menges entered upon his duties as pas- tor with forty-five members. In the year 1870 the building was repaired and the audi- ence room frescoed at a cost of $4,062. In 1880 an infant Sunday-school room was built to the rear of the lecture room, at a cost of $1,200. In 1882 the audience room was again frescoed and a new pipe organ pur- chased, all at a cost of $1,900. Rev. J. H. Menges continued his pastorate until August 15, 1874. His successor was Rev. M. J. Alleman, who began his labors November 1, 1874, and served the congregation two years. The present pastor, Rev. A. G. Fastnacht, entered upon his duties February 1, 1877. The membership now numbers 380, and the Sunday-school has 386 pupils and teachers. During the past year this church contributed for local and beneficial purposes $3,180. The parsonage adjoins the church.

St. John's German Evangelical Lutheran Church .- On October 27, 1873, a number of German Lutherans resolved to organize a church. At a meeting held at the residence of John Palmtag, on West Philadelphia Street, the resolution was signed by the fol- lowing-named gentlemen, each of whom, at the same time, subscribed a certain sum of money for the erection of a church: Henry W. Grothe, Frederick Ottemoeller, Carl Schmidt, Frederick Strathmann, John Palm- tag, Henry A. Boesch, William Becker, Fred- erick Carls, Will Ottemoeller, Frederick Pape, John Eimerbrink, Henry Kuhlmann, Carl Dempwolf, Sr., Henry Schlueter, Sr., and Louis Plitt. The principal cause which led to this step was the introduction of more English services than had previously been the case, in the Christ Lutheran Church, to which most of the above named members be- longed. Another reason was the dissatisfac- tion among the German Lutherans with the mode in which the services were conducted in the old church, it being, in many respects, different from the customs in the fatherland. A third reason was the desire of German Lu- theran parents to have their children edu- cated in the German language. On Decem- ber 15, 1873, it was resolved to hold public services, and to invite a minister of the Ger- man Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri. The father of Frederick Carls, after having resided in York for a number of years, re- moved West about ten years previously. He there joined a congregation in connection with the synod of Missouri, and subscribed to the Lutheraner, the official organ of the said

synod. Mr. Carls sent the paper regularly to York to his son, Frederick, who was pleased with its contents, likewise a few others to whom he handed it. The first services were held in the court house on January 4, 1874, conducted by Rev. C. Schwankovsky, of Har- risburg.

Rev. C. Stürken of Baltimore, visitator of this district, saw that the appointments for preaching were filled. E. C. Grevemeyer, translated the church constitution into the English language, and had the congregation incorporated by the court.

A lot of ground on West King Street was bought for $9,000. Rev. H. Walker of Pat- erson, N. J., who had been pastor of a con- gregation there for seven years, was called to York. The call, however, was returned by Rev. Walker, his congregation not being willing to let him go. At a subsequent meeting the call was renewed. On April 24, Rev. Walker arrived in York, and on the Sunday following was installed as pastor by Rev. Stürken.

The plans for the new church were pre- pared by J. A. Dempwolf, architect. N. Weigle was chosen master builder. The church was to be 102x572 feet. The build. ing committee were Frederick Greimann, Henry W. Grothe, Carl Hiffmeyer, William Oermann, H. A. Boesch, Louis Plitt, Henry Wagner and Carl H. Schmidt ; elders elected were Frederick Strathmann, Fred- erick Westerhold and Peter Breeswine; trustees, William Becker, E. C. Grevemeyer, John Palmtag; deacons, Henry Dollmeyer, Henry Kuhlmann, Henry Müller, John Henry Ottemoeller, Henry Hiffmeyer and Frederick Meyer.

On July 12, 1874, the corner-stone was laid, and on October 17, 1875, the church was dedicated.

The cost of the church, with bell and or- gan, was nearly $25,000. The cost of ground, church, school and parsonage, and other im- provements, approached $10,000. Of this sum a little over $15,000 was unpaid at the time of dedication. Considering that nearly all the members were, and still are, working men, they have done well. In the year 1878, the debt was reduced $3,000. In 1881, $3,000 were paid off. The year 1883, being the fourth centennary of the birth of the great reformer, Martin Luther, was a great jubilee for the Lutheran Church throughout the world, and was everywhere marked by in- creased activity and zeal in church work. The pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church of York proposed to avail himself of this opportunity to induce his people to make a

541

BOROUGH OF YORK.

final effort to cancel the debt, and he was successful.

It is one of the leading features of the Missouri Synod to have their children edu- cated under guidance and direction of the church, and it has been successful in this respect since its organization in 1847. There are now about 1,000 such schools under the charge of this synod. Frederick Rünzel, a graduate of the Teachers' Seminary or Nor- mal School of this denomination, at Allison, Ill., was called as teacher of the school con- nected with this church. The pastor also taught for two years. G. A. Schwankovsky was afterward called, and is the present as- sistant teacher. In 1883, A. F. Brouhahn was installed as teacher and organist of the school and church. The school is under the special care of the pastor. This church has this year (1885) 451 communicants; including children, there are 734 members.

St. Luke's Lutheran Church is located on Maple Street, between Duke and Queen Streets. The congregation grew from the success of a Sunday-school, started in the armory on Maple Street, on July 16, 1882.

David Emmit, a prominent member of St. Paul's Church, purchased a lot for $2,100, and in October, 1883, Rev. M. J. Alleman became pastor of the new congregation formed, which at first worshipped in the ar- mory. In April, 1883, N. Weigle contracted and soon after built the present brick church, 70x40 feet, on the lot presented by Maj. Em- mit, at a cost of $6,000. In 1885 a Sunday- school and lecture-room building was at- tached to the north end of the church, at a cost of $800. Maj. Emmit contributed all the money for the erection of both buildings, with the exception of about $1,700, and in this way has done a noble and good work.

The church was dedicated in October, 1883. The officiating clergymen were Revs. Lochman, Gotwald, Anstadt and Herring. The last-named is the 'present pastor. The congregation has about 125 members, and has connected with it a Sunday-school of 200 pupils and teachers. Samuel Ilgenfritz is superintendent, and J. F. Mitzel, assistant superintendent.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church .- A reminiscence of the introduction of Meth- odism into York County, is given in an arti- cle in the general history, entitled "Relig- ious Denominations." There are no records to show the prosperity of this denomination in York from 1781 to 1819. During the lat- ter date, Rev. Andrew Hemphill was sta- tioned here, and the congregation had a membership of 122. Mr. Hemphill was

succeeded, in 1821, by Rev. William Pretty- man. In 1822 Rev. Robert S. Vinton and the Rev. Tobias Reily were appointed by conference, the former to York Station, the latter to York Circuit; in 1823 Rev. Joseph Larkin. In 1824 the congregation numbered 146 members, and was supplied by the Rev. Charles A. Davis. In 1825 Basil Barry was the clergyman of the congregation here, and was reappointed in 1826. In 1827 Andrew Hemphill supplied the congregation, which, at that time, numbered 208 members. Mr. Hempbill was reappointed to this station in 1828. In 1829 Henry Smith and James Brent were sent to York Station. In 1830 Mr. Smith was here alone. In 1831 and 1832 John A. Gere supplied this station. In 1833 conference appointed Edward Smith, and at their session in 1834 reappointed the same gentleman; 1835, Charles Kalfus; 1836, -37, Tobias Reily; 1838-39, John L. Gibbons; 1840, John Poisel; 1841, John C. Lyon; 1842-43, John A. Henning; 1844-45, George C. Chenowith; 1846-47, Joseph France; 1848, James Sewel; 1850-51, William Wicks; 1852, William D. Clemm; 1853-54, Robert S. Vin- ton; 1855-56, James Brads; 1857-58, John Stine; 1859-60, Joseph A. Ross; 1861, D. S. Monroe; 1862, Joseph France; 1863, John H. C. Dosch; 1866, N. S. Buckingham; 1868, William R. Mills; 1869, Henry C. West- wood; 1871, W. M. Ryan, M. D .; 1872, D. S. Monroe; 1874, A. M. Barnitz; 1876, S. L. Bowman, D. D .; 1879, J. H. McGarrab; 1881, S. C. Swallow; 1884, J. Max Lautz. The present church membership is 388. There is a Sunday-school of 421 members; B. F. Frick is superintendant.

The first house of worship belonging to the Methodists of York was built on the site of the first United Brethren in Christ Church, west of the Codorus. That property was sold in 1840 and on an elegible spot on the corner of Philadelphia and Duke Streets, a church was built which was used until a few years ago, when the present handsome church was erected. West Princess Street Methodist Episcopal Church and . Ridge Avenue Church grew out of mission work from Beaver Street Church when under the pastoral care of Rev. S. C. Swallow.

The Princess Street Church was the direct result of a Sunday-school opened in Septem- ber, 1881, in a schoolhouse in West York, then known as Smysertown. Prof. W. H. Shelley was the superintendent. A church was built and dedicated in 1882. The Sun- day-school now numbers 150 pupils. The Ridge Avenue Church was dedicated in 1884, and together with the Princess Street Church

542

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

form one charge, under the pastoral care of Rev. Metzler. This charge will soon be self- sustaining. At present $250 are paid to it from the First Church.

Methodism has grown rapidly and prosper- ously in York within the past five years.

Duke Street Methodist Episcopal Church .- On March 21, 1861, Rev. W. Maslin Frysin- ger was appointed to York Mission, and preached on the street until July 14, of the same year, when the mission chapel was dedicated, the money and materials being furnished largely by the members from the York Station. A Sunday-school was organ- ized numbering forty scholars. Rev. Fry- singer was elected superintendent.

The mission, by the next conference, num- bered 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, his labors being marked with success. The first trustees appointed were Caleb Kepner, John Mitzel, Henry Reisinger, D. A. Warfield, William Gehring, J. W. Buckingham, O. P. Weiser; all of whom were appointed in 1861. Only one remains to the present as a trustee-J. W. Bucking- ham. He has been identified with nearly all the history of this church from its beginning.

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. Pennepacker was appointed March, 1871, and this year the church was commenced; 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 Bow- man.

The collections and subscriptions for the day amounted to $4,000, leaving a debt of $1,000. Through the shrinkage in thesub- scriptions, and other debts being contracted, the indebtedness was increased to nearly $3,000. The trustees of the church, at the time of the dedication, were J. W. Bucking- ham, D. S. Coble, Henry Hepperla, Jacob Seacrist, W. H. H. Craver, W. Schenck, S. Decker, A. G. Corpman, and J. J. Frick.

The indebtedness on the church was car- ried ten years, or through the pastoral terms of Revs. G. W. Miller, H. R. Bender, T. S. Wilcox and John Vrooman. The last of these finally cancelled it, after being gradu- ally decreased. He served the church one year more, and was succeeded, in 1883, by Rev. A. R. Cronce. During his pastoral term of three years, improvements were made on the church property to the amount of $1,000, and all debts paid.

The following are the names of the present official board: J. W. Buckingham, John Laughlin, John E. Ilgenfritz, John Harris, W. A. Buckingham, M. J. Mumper, Eli F. Grove, Christian Markley, David Feiser, Alfred Bond, Charles F. Sechrist, David S. Coble, W. H. H. Craver, John Morrison, H. C. Ziegler, Levi Pinkerton, H. M. Ney.

St. Patrick's Catholic Church .- In attempt- ing to write the history of this church it is difficult to get accurate information. AB early as April, 1750, John Moore secured Lot No. 295 (the present site of St. Patrick's Church). On the 20th of June, of the same year, John Moore assigned his right and title to Casper Stillinger, who shortly after erect- ed thereon a stone dwelling house. In 1776 it was purchased from the heirs of Casper Stillinger by Joseph Smith, who presented it to the then small Catholic Congregation to be used as a place of public worship.

York congregation was presented with a place for the freedom of worship in the same year that our forefathers were presented with that inestimable boon for which they labored so long, viz .: Liberty and Independence. After considerable remodeling, this old stone dwelling was converted into a place of wor- ship, and dedicated and consecrated. The parish was attended at intervals by priests from Conewago Chapel, near Hanover. In the year 1809, Rev. Thomas Neal, of George- town, D. C., visited York, and not being sat- isfied as to the legality of the title to the church property, made application and re- ceived a deed, "in trust for his heirs and assigns, to and for the only and proper use and behoof of the Catholic Congregation of the borough of York, Penn., their successors and assigns, forever." This deed remained in the custody of some unknown person for a number of years, unrecorded. The old stone building was continued as a place of worship until the year 1810, when the rapid and large increase of the congregation made it neces- sary to replace it with one of larger dimen- sions-the present church on the same site. The corner-stone was laid by Rev. Father Debrath. From 1810 to 1819 the congrega-

543

BOROUGH OF YORK.

tion was supplied with spiritual aid from Baltimore, Conewago, Paradise and other places.

The first regularly stationed pastor in this parish was Rev. Lawrence Huber, who came to York in 1819, and remained six months; was succeeded by Rev. George L. Hogan, for two years. Rev. P. J. Divin came in 1822. During his administration the missing deed to the church property was secured and recorded.

Father Divin remained sixteen years. In 1832 the church building was too small to accommodate the congregation, which was composed of Irish, Germans and Americans. It was enlarged by an addition of fifteen feet. Father Divin died February 2, 1838, and his remains were interred beneath the floor in the central aisle of the church.

The venerable Father Rafferty was assigned to the pastorate in 1838. Pews were placed in church, an organ purchased, and, in 1840, a steeple and bell were added. Father Raf- ferty was succeeded, in 1842, by Rev. Father Kelly, for eight months. In 1844 Rev. Father McKin was sent, remained but seven months, and was succeeded by Rev. B. A. Shorb, who was a native of York County, and, under- standing the English and German languages, was a great favorite. Rev. M. F. Martin came in 1846. He had built the first paro- chial residence, also established a parochial school. In 1854 he was succeeded by Rev. Patrick Reily, and he by Rev. Father Mc- Laughlin. Rev. Sylvester Eagle was stationed here from 1855 to 1866, when he died, and his remains were interred at the northeast corner of the church, where a tablet, designed by himself, marks his resting place.

Rev. Father McGinnis came next, and then Rev. Father Murray in 1867. He remodeled the church, Rev. Thomas McGovern served from 1870 to 1873; his retirement was re- gretted by all his parishioners. Fathers Mc- Ilvaine, Kenny and McKenna, succeeded in order named. Father Shanahan, the present pastor (1885), has made some valuable im- provements to the church property, having erected an additional building for the use of the sisters in charge of the parochial school. He also secured for the congregation a ceme- tery on the suburbs of the town, the old cemetery attached to the church being filled.

St. Mary's Catholic Church .- St. Mary's Catholic Church was founded in 1852, Rev. Martin, an Irishman, who did not understand the German lauguage, being pastor of St. Patrick's Church, where the Germans wor- shipped. By order of Rt. Rev. J. H. Neumann, Bishop of Philadelphia, Rev. J. Cotting, S.

J., of Conewago, Adams County, called a meet- ing of the Catholic Germans, when they decided to build another church. The first resident rector was Rev. Father Wachter, a Tyrolean, who started a German school and bought a lot for a new graveyard on the Baltimore pike, not far from town. The small congregation of German Catholics, who worshipped in a church between New Free- dom and Shrewsbury, and which was under the charge of the Redemptorist fathers of Baltimore, was then attended by Rev. Wach- ter, who got for an assistant Rev. F. X. Treyer, a Switzer; the congregation of Dallas- town was also under the charge of these two priests. June 4, 1859, Rev. Treyer died, and was buried in St. Mary's cemetery. Rev. Philip Woerner is mentioned as next pastor. He was succeeded, in 1859, by Rev. Matthew Meurer, a young priest, who had celebrated his first mass in St. Mary's Church under Rev. Wachter. He was rector until October 20, 1861, when Rev. Joseph Hamm was appointed. During his term the old schoolhouse was removed to the rear of the church, and a new two-story pastoral resi- dence of brick was built along side of the church. In December, 1866, Rev. B. Bau- meister from Muenster, Westphalia, became rector. In his time the large Diocese of Philadelphia was divided in other different districts-Harrisburg, Scranton and Wil- mington. The bishop of Harrisburg, Rt. Rev. J. F. Shanahan has under his charge the Catholics of York, and seventeen other counties of Pennsylvania. Rev. J. George Pape, a native of Warrendorf, West- phalia, took charge of St. Mary's congrega- tion of York and missions in November, 1868. In the following year he commenced to build a schoolhouse; gave charge over the school to three Franciscan Sisters of Philadelphia, Sister M. Hieronyma being the first superior. In 1883, old St. Mary's Cemetery becoming too small, Rev.J. George Pape bought six acres of ground from William Felty (lying along the Baltimore pike, about a mile from the church), for a new graveyard, in which, after being dedicated by the pastor, the dead were trans- ferred from the old one. In 1884, a fair was held and funds collected for a new church which was commenced in March, 1884. The congregation assisted the pastor with their utmost ability; new bells were purchased by P. Pfeffer and J. Mayer, and blessed by Rt. Rev. Bishop J. F. Shanahan, December 29, 1884. Beautiful stained glass windows and the stations of the cross-oil paintings -- were given by different parishioners and friends of the pastor. New Gothic altars

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended, Part 106

Author: Gibson, John, Editor Publication date: 1886 Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago Number of Pages: 1104

Author: Gibson, John, Editor
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago
Number of Pages: 1104