CHURCH: Christ Lutheran Church, Dallastown, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Abby Bowman

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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History of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of West Pennsylvania of the United 
Lutheran Church in America, 1825-1925

Edited by Adam Stump, D.D. and Henry Anstadt, D.D.

Published by the Action of the Synod in Celebration of Its Centennial,
Printed For The Synod By J. R. Kerr & Bro., Chambersburg, Penna.,1925 
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Pg 453-455

CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH, DALLASTOWN, PA.

REV. S. L. HENCH, PASTOR

The first Lutheran and Reformed church of Dallastown was organized May 3, 1854, 
the official name being "St. Paul's Lutheran and German Reformed Church."  In 
the year 1850 the Roman Catholic and the United Brethren churches were organized 
in Dallastown.  The Lutheran and Reformed people who then worshiped at 
Bleimier's, which is located just about a mile south of town, felt the need of a 
church in Dallastown, to care for the people of their faith.  Thus about 16 or 
18 people who were members of St. John's Lutheran and Reformed, commonly known 
as "Bleimeir's," withdrew from the mother church and effected an organization in 
Dallastown.  Of the 16 or 18 members who formed the new congregation, only four 
were Lutherans.

On May 3, 1854, the first meeting was held and an organization was effected.  
The work of building a new church was begun and completed the same year.  This 
fraternal union of church fellowship existed until May 23, 1887, when it was 
considered for the best interest of the Master's kingdom that these two 
congregations should erect their separate places of worship.  After some 
controversy, the Reformed congregation purchased the Union church for $800.

The following Lutheran pastors served the charge at that time consisting of 
Dallastown, Freysville, Lebanon, St. James', Stahle's, and Bleimeir's:  Rev. A. 
Kempler, Rev. John Conway, Rev. Peter Warner, Rev. Edward Lenhart, and Rev. C. 
W. Baker.

In 1890 Saddler's church was added, and in the next few years new charges were 
formed; so that in 1894 Dallastown and Bleimeir's formed a charge, which 
continued for many years, until Bleimeir's became a preaching station.

On June 5th, 1887, the Lutheran congregation appointed a building committee with 
Rev. C. W. Baker chairman.  On June 11th, 1887, a plot of ground was purchased 
for $600 on Main St., and the building of the new church was begun at once.  The 
oldest member of the congregation was given the opportunity of selecting a name 
for the new congregation.  The name selected was Christ Lutheran.

The congregation grew very rapidly, and in 1909 it was found necessary to erect 
a larger church.  Work was begun on the first unit, the contemplated chapel and 
auditorium.  In February 1911, the present Sunday School, which is modern in 
every respect and well adapted to present Sunday School work, was dedicated, at 
a cost of $15,000.  In 1913 a modern brick parsonage was erected on the 
adjoining lot.  It is the hope of this loyal congregation to erect a beautiful 
and commodious church in the near future which will be a credit to Lutheranism 
in this part of the state.

The congregation numbers 465 at present.  The following pastors have served 
Christ Lutheran.

     Rev. C. W. Baker.......1887-1888
     Rev. M. V. Shatto......1889-1892
     Rev. A. M. Heilman.....1892-1894
     Rev. I. B. Christ......1895-1897
     Rev. W. F. Bare........1898-1902
     Rev. J. B. Lau.........1902-1904
     Rev. Samuel Greenhoe...1904-1912
     Rev. C. N. Schindler...1913-1915
     Rev. S. L. Hench.......1915-