CHURCH: First Baptist Church, York, PA

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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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Page 545

BOROUGH OF YORK

The First Baptist Church.--In August, 1850, Rev. G. M. Slaysman visited 
York to ascertain how many Baptists were residing in or near the place, 
intending to return and begin preaching.  In November, following, a 
room was rented in Hartman's Building, Centre Square, which he fitted 
up with seats and a pulpit.  Mr. Hartman presented a Bible, and T. D. 
Davis, of Chester, furnished a stove.  The room was opened for worship 
in December, 1850.  In January, following, Mr. Slaysman moved to York.  
Finding a few Baptists in town and in the country desirous of forming a 
congregation, he continued with them.  The church was constituted May 
21, 1851.  The first person baptized was Mary Anne Wireman, June 8, 
1851.  In the fall of the year others joined the church by baptism.  
The pastor, during this time, was supporting himself by teaching.  An 
appropriation for the support of the pastor was secured at the rate of 
$150 per year.  This was increased to $250, and again to $350.

A lot of ground was bought, in 1852, on which to build a church.  Mrs. 
Mary Young, of Columbia, gave the first $5.  The pastor secured enough 
subscriptions to enable the work to begin July, 1852, and in December 
the basement was occupied for worship.

The building was dedicated on the 14th of September, 1856.  Rev. D. 
Williams, pastor of the First Baptist Church, of Harrisburg, preached 
the dedicatory sermon, assisted by Rev. W. S. Hall, pastor of the 
Phoenixville Baptist Church.  Rev. Slaysman continued until November 2, 
1862, and was succeeded by Rev. Henry Bray, January 1, 1863, for two 
years.  Mr. Slaysman returned to York April 1, 1865, and remained till 
January 1, 1870.

Rev. Andrew J. Hay was called August 1, 1870, and remained two years.  
The church was without a pastor for nearly four years, when Rev. Henry 
Colclesser was called, May 17, 1876.  He served four years.  For 
another year the church held services without pastoral care, when Rev. 
E. F. Crane, general missionary for northwestern Pennsylvania, was sent 
to York.  For three months he continued preaching every evening.  The 
church then elected Rev. W. B. Skinner, August 1, 1881, who labored two 
and one-half years, when, on account of ill health, he resigned, and 
Rev. L. B. Plumer, of Boston, Mass., a student at Crozer Seminary, was 
called, July 13, 1884.  The church has received into its membership 
since its organization 268 persons.  Its present number is seventy 
members, having a church and parsonage located on South George Street, 
mainly due to the self-denying labor of Rev. Slaysman.  The Sunday-
school numbers about eighty-five, with an average attendance of fifty.  
Superintendent, Andrew Watt; secretary, William Hohenrine; librarian, 
Frederick Hosbach, and Thomas Wood, treasurer.