CHURCH HISTORY: St. James Reformed Church, Carsonville, Dauphin County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Abby Bowman

Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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History of the Classis of Lancaster of the Eastern Synod of the
Reformed Church in the United States, 1852-1940;

Part II, Histories of the Congregations of the Classis of Lancaster, Pg. 272-273

Printed by The New Holland Clarion, New Holland, PA;
Editors Rev. Daniel G. Glass, Rev. C. George Bachman, Rev. Harry E. Shepardson,
Rev. John F. Frantz, Rev. J. N. Le Van, D.D.
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ST. JAMES REFORMED CHURCH, CARSONVILLE

Rev. George W. Moyer, Pastor

On April 1, 1857, this congregation was organized by the Rev. N. E. Bressler, 
who was then pastor of the Armstrong Valley Reformed charge.  On the same day 
the Lutheran congregation was organized by the Rev. M. Fensler.  The church then 
was named "The St. James Lutheran and Reformed Church".

The ground whereon was erected a house of worship was obtained from John Shutt 
and Phillip Hoffman.  In 1859 the first structure was built, being a log 
structure.  Pews and pulpit were home-made and never painted.  The old church 
building faced South and was located about 200 feet west from the present church 
building.  The old building was 28 feet wide and 36 feet long; the pulpit was 
high with a long stairway with banister on both sides and along the steps.

The Reformed congregation enjoyed a prosperous membership for a good many years, 
while the Lutherans never were strong in membership, and in 1893 they abandoned 
having worship services and released their claim of ownership in the church to 
the Reformed congregation.

In 1905, it was decided that a new house of worship was needed and the following 
building committee was appointed:  Solomon Gottschall, Jacob Bordner, William 
Potteigher, Joseph Keiffer, Isaiah Shultz.  The corner stone was laid and the 
building was dedicated in the year 1905.  The Rev. G. W. Spotts was then pastor.  
The size of the present building is 33 feet wide and 45 feet long.  A railing 
surrounded the pulpit.  In 1906 a bell was placed in the belfry, and in 1933 a 
metal ceiling was placed in the sanctuary.

The trend of people moving to the cities, and the community now being largely 
composed of hunting camps, this congregation is not enjoying the same prosperity 
as in its early years; but during the present pastorate this faithful group has 
been very active in beautifying their church.  The inside of the church has been 
renovated and the chancel altered in accordance with the traditional custom of 
the Reformed Church.  A new piano, and new carpets and shades were purchased, a 
basement provided, a new furnace installed and the exterior of the church given 
a new coat of paint.

This church holds an annual home-coming on the first Sunday in September of each 
year.  The chronological order of the pastors is the same as that of St. 
Peter's' (sic) (Fetterhoff's).