Church History: Union Deposit Reformed Church, Uniontown, 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/
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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. 232-233

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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UNION DEPOSIT REFORMED CHURCH

Rev. Alton W. Barley, Pastor

The exact date of the organization of the Union Deposit congregation is not 
known.  According to Egle's History of Dauphin County, published in 1883, the 
town in which the church is located was laid out in  July, 1845, by Philip 
Wolfersberger.  It was named Unionville, but always went by the name Union 
Deposit, "from the fact of its being a deposit of all grain produce, etc., of 
the region preparatory to its shipment on the Union canal by Mr. Wolfersberger".

In 1847 the members of the Lutheran and German Reformed congregations erected a 
one-story brick edifice.  It was called the Lutheran and Reformed Union Church.  
The two congregations still worship in this building.  A constitution for the 
Union Church was adopted in November of the same year.

The Union Deposit Reformed Church was one of several churches constituting the 
Hummelstown Charge.  The others were Hummelstown, Wenrich's, and Shoop's.  
Probably the first minister to serve this congregation was Rev. D. Y. Heisler 
who continued until 1857, when he was succeeded by Rev. M. A. Smith.

In 1877 the Hummelstown and Union Deposit Churches were made a separate charge, 
and in May of the same year, Rev. A. R. Bartholomew was installed pastor.  He 
served until the fall of 1878.  (The names and periods of service of the pastors 
of the congregation are the same as for the Hummelstown Church.)

At the present time, the membership of the Union Deposit Church is forty-two.  
The Union Sunday School has an enrollment of one hundred and fifty.