Church History: Salem Reformed Church, Rohrerstown, Lancaster County, PA Copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Abby Bowman Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/lancaster/ ________________________________________________ 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. 283-287 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. ________________________________________________ SALEM REFORMED CHURCH, ROHRERSTOWN Rev. Burt Behrens, Pastor As early as 1825, religious services were held in the schoolhouse, being conducted by Lutheran and Reformed clergymen from Lancaster. The corner stone for the first church building, a structure built of wood, was laid in July, 1831, and one year later the church was dedicated. This edifice was located within the borders of the present cemetery. As a result of the labors of Charles Frederick Hoffmeier, a student for the ministry under the care of the Rev. George W. Glessner of First Church in Lancaster, congregations were formally organized in Conestoga Center, Millersville, and Rohrerstown, in October, 1843. Mr. Hoffmeier had been sent out by the Lancaster County Bible Society to preach in this section, and the three congregations were formed into a charge, becoming part of the Classis of Lebanon, the German Reformed Church in the United States. The first regular pastor was the Rev. Peter Sweigart, who served until his death in 1846. The Rev. E. Reinecke assumed the pastorate in 1848, remaining about one year. He was followed by Rev. Mr. Herman Rust, who also stayed for a period of one year. Both these ministers were natives of Germany. The next pastor was the Rev. Joel L. Reber. In 1852 Lancaster and most of Dauphin Counties were separated from Lebanon Classis to form the Classis of Lancaster. At the time of organization the whole Classis of Lancaster included nine ministers, one licentiate and four elders. The roll of charges included Millersville Charge, as it had then come to be called. Rev. Mr. Reber resigned in 1854. His successor was the Rev. John W. Hoffmeier, a brother of Charles F. Hoffmeier, whose labors had led to the organization of the congregations. In 1859, the Church building was struck by lightning, and so badly damaged that repairs were impossible. The people immediately set to work to erect a new building. The corner stone for a new brick building was laid in June 1860, and in November of the same year the Church was dedicated. Both Lutheran and Reformed clergymen officiated at these services, and at this time the officials of the union congregations gave to the Church the name "Salem". Rev. Mr. J. W. Hoffmeier's labors in this field closed in 1862. The Rev. I. E. Graeff then became pastor for a period of five years. He was followed by the Rev. L. D. Steckel, who served for about one year. The Rev. A. B. Shenkle entered his work as pastor in 1869. Two years later he wrote: "In Rohrerstown I preach every two weeks Sabbath morning. I preach half in the German language; the half or more of this congregation are for German. I also lecture every two weeks on Saturday evening". During this period he organized the Willow Street congregation. He ended his labors as the regular pastor in 1878, but served as supply pastor during two brief periods when the charge was vacant. In 1878, the Rev. Jairus P. Moore became pastor. During his ministry he reported: "At Conestoga Center the services are all English, at Millersville there is a German service every four weeks, and at Rohrerstown, one-half English and one-half German". After five years in this field he resigned, to take up his work as missionary in Japan. The Rev. John Philip Stein started his ministry in 1884, and continued as pastor for eight years. He was followed by the Rev. B. Howard Roth, whose pastorate ended in 1900. In 1887 Conestoga Center was disconnected from the Charge. At this time the Millersville congregation requested Classis to be constituted an individual charge, and after consultation with the Rohrerstown congregation the request was granted. In the same year the Lutheran and Reformed groups in Rohrerstown separated, the Reformed congregation purchasing the Lutheran interest in the property for $1,500. Thus in 1901, Salem Reformed Church of Rohrerstown became an individual charge, reporting 160 communicant members and 46 baptized but unconfirmed members. The Rev. Tilghman Derr became the pastor in 1901. On May 2, 1906, ground was broken for the erection of a new edifice at the present location on Main Street. The corner stone was laid October 14 of that year, and the church was dedicated January 26, 1908. This is the building in use at the present time, a beautiful brick sanctuary set in an attractive lawn. Rev. Mr. Derr served this congregation until his death in 1915. The Rev. A. Fred Rentz became the assistant to Rev. Mr. Derr during the latter's ill health, served as supply for one year, and was the regular pastor until 1920. During his pastorate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the organization of the congregation was observed with fitting services, a room was furnished in the newly-erected dormitory of the Lancaster Seminary, and a $500 contribution was made to the Foreign Mission Chapel Fund in memory of the former pastor, the Rev. J. P. Moore. The Rev. Frank R. Lefever became pastor in 1921, serving for six years. He was followed by Dr. W. D. Marburger, whose pastorate continued from 1927 to the end of 1931. In 1927 the Church was completely renovated and beautified. A two-manual pipe organ was installed, and the Sunday School room was enlarged, providing adequate space for the various age groups. The present pastor, the Rev. Burt A. Behrens, began his ministry with his ordination and installation in Salem Church, on July 31, 1931. Upon the death in 1935 of Miss Lizzie Kready, who, with her sister Susan, had long been a faithful and generous supporter of the church work, their home was presented to the congregation to be used as a parsonage. Situated across the street from the church, it is a substantial brick house, well adapted to the purposes of a manse. The present communicant membership numbers 200 persons. The work of the church is also promoted by the activities of the Sunday School with its organized classes, the Woman's Missionary Society, and the Youth Fellowship. During the formative years of our denomination's development in this region, the Rohrerstown Church was connected at various times as a part of a charge with Millersville, East Petersburg, Conestoga Center, Maytown, and Columbia, enjoying cordial relationships with these congregations of our church. Two men have gone forth from the congregation into the work of the Christian Ministry. The Rev. Earl L. Stehman has been serving in the Presbyterian Church for a number of years. The Rev. Benjamin M. Meyer spent many faithful and fruitful years in his only pastorate, Christ Church at Elizabethtown. After his retirement from the active pastorate he continued in a ministry to the afflicted in the Lancaster Hospitals until his death in 1932. Salem Church of Rohrerstown now looks forward to the completion in 1943 of one hundred years of service for the cause of Christ.