CHURCH: Salem Lutheran Church, Washington Township, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Abby Bowman

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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 459-460

SALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH, YORK COUNTY, PA.
(Dillsburg Charge)

REV. G. A. LIVINGSTON, PASTOR

Salem, or Barrens, Lutheran Church as it is commonly known is one of the old 
landmarks of Washington Township, situated in the upper end of the Township in 
York County.

The first building was a log church which was dedicated to the service of God on 
the first day of January, 1812.  This building stood for fifty-three years.  The 
Lutheran pastor at this time was Rev. John Adam Rudisill and the Reformed pastor 
was Rev. Charles Helfenstine; and the Building Committee were:  David Shearer, 
Reformed, and George Gentzler, Lutheran; and the Lutheran Council were:  Elder, 
Nicholas Bentz and Deacons:  Jacob Bentz and George Lau.  There seems to be no 
record as to when the congregation was organized.  The first grave in the 
cemetery was that of Barbara Shetron, who died on the 11th day of August, 1811.  
Near this building was a stone school house in which was kept a parocial school 
supported by the Church until the day of free schools.  April 1st, 1863, plans 
and specifications were adopted for a new church to take the place of the old 
log church.  The new church was built of brick, 38 x 50 feet, with a gallery on 
three sides of the church.  The corner stone was laid May 16th, 1864; the 
ministers who took part in this service were the Lutheran pastor, Rev. A. 
Finfrock and Rev. Frey of Carlisle; and the Reformed pastor, Rev. D. Reigle and 
Rev. W. C. Bennet of Boiling Springs; addresses were delivered by Rev. Frey and 
Rev. Bennet.

The church was dedicated to the service of God on the 21st of May, 1866.  The 
ministers who took part in this service were the Lutheran pastor, Rev. Peter 
Warner, M. J. Alleman of Hanover, and S. Dasher, and Rev. J. Ault of the 
Reformed Church of Mechanicsburg.  The total cost of the church is given as 
$4710.10 1/2.  This church is standing today.  A joint charter was granted to 
the Lutheran and Reformed Church, January 2nd, 1855.

In the latter part of the year of 1923, there was placed in the York Trust 
Company over five thousand dollars, of which the interest shall be used for the 
care of the cemetery; the sum was given by friends and members of Salem 
(Barrens) Church.  The Lutheran congregation now report 191 members with a 
Sunday School of 280 and a Christian Endeavor Society.  The Church Council 
consists of the following:  Trustees, Lutheran, J. G. Deardorff, Lewis Bentz, 
and C. E. Cook; Reformed, John E. Byers, Searight Nell, Harry Kinter; Lutheran, 
Deacons, L. M. Kinter, H. F. Myers, W. M. Grove; Lutheran Elders, William Bentz 
and Lewis R. Bentz.

The following is a list of the pastors who served the Church:  Rev. John Andrew 
Rudisill; David Kesler; Jacob Albert; A. G. Deininger; Daniel Gotwalt; John 
Weibel; William German, 1841-1844; Samuel Henry, 1844-1853; Joseph Focht, 1855-
1859; Aaron Finfrock, 1859-1864; Peter Warner, 1864-1868; J. R. Bricker, 1869-
1871; Daniel Sell, 1872-1873; Kutz, Supply for a short time; E. Studebaker, 
1874-1876; Henry Seifert, 1876-1886; from this date the charge has been as at 
present constituted and pastors are the same as listed in the sketch of Emmanuel 
Lutheran Church.