CHURCH: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, York Haven, York County, PA

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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 
_______________________________________________

Pg 500-504

ST. PAUL'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, YORK HAVEN, PA.

(Manchester Charge)

REV. JOHN H. C. MANIFOLD, PASTOR

The town of York Haven was visited on October 11, 1895, by Rev. Chas. W. Baker, 
Missionary Secretary of the York Co. Conference, with the object of organizing a 
Lutheran congregation.

The first preaching service held was Sunday, December 15, 1895, in Walton's 
Hall, when seventy persons were present.

The prospect of a Lutheran congregation was so well received that a house to 
house canvass was at once begun, which also was completed by January 8, 1896, 
with the following results:  twenty-eight families with one hundred and thirty-
one souls are Lutheran, while other available material make a total of fifty-two 
families, with two hundred and forty-eight souls.

On the same date, (January 8, 1896) it was recommended, "that steps be taken as 
soon as possible to organize a Lutheran congregation at York Haven."  And within 
the same month the Lutheran Board of Church Extension located and purchased the 
lot on which the church building now stands.  Price paid, $250.00.

June 5, 1896, the services of Mr. John E. Heindel, then a Junior in the 
Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, were secured, as assistant to the Missionary 
Secretary, Rev. C. W. Baker, and he supplied the congregation until the opening 
of Seminary in September.

The congregation was organized on June 28, 1896, with fifty-one members, - forty 
by certificate and profession of faith, seven by confirmation, and four by 
Baptism.  The services of organizing were held in the local U. B. Church.  Rev. 
Dr. Geo. W. Enders and Rev. Peter Livingston, President of the Missionary Com. 
of York Co. Conference, were present and assisted in the organization.

The first official meeting of the congregation after its organization was held 
July 1st, 1896, by Rev. Baker and Mr. John E. Heindel, for the purpose of 
electing a Church Council.  The result was, that Mr. Fred G. Krout was chosen to 
the office of Elder for two years, and Mr. Henry F. Metzler for one year.  Also, 
that Mr. Wm. Cape and Mr. Michael G. Krout were chosen to the office of Deacon, 
each for two years, and Mr. G. C. Emigh and Mr. E. M. Nace to the same office, 
each for one year.  The Church Council then organized by electing Mr. Henry F. 
Metzler, President, Mr. G. C. Emigh, Secretary, and Mr. E. M. Nace, Treasurer.

Other matters of business transacted at this first meeting of the Church 
Council, were the adopting of the envelope return system; the appointment of Mr. 
Henry F. Metzler to secure a charter for the new Church organization; and a 
motion to raise $4000, towards a church building.

On July 3, Mr. Heindel began soliciting for the building fund.  The building 
Committee was selected at a Church Council meeting held July 19, as follows:  
Mr. Henry F. Metzler, Chairman, Mr. G. C. Emigh and Mr. Wm. Cape.

Ground was broken for the new church on July 28.  Subscriptions to date amounted 
to $700.  On August 5, the congregation assumed the entire support of Mr. 
Heindel as supply pastor.  On September 13, the corner-stone of the church was 
laid, Rev. Dr. A. W. Lilly, preaching the sermon.

During the winter of 1896 the paper mills were running on short time, hence many 
of the families left town.  All advance movements of the congregation were 
checked, and the church experienced a reverse.  Preaching services were held 
regularly however, under the direction of Rev. Baker with students from 
Gettysburg Seminary.  The Sunday School was organized in the public school 
building on March 28, 1897, with a good corps of officers and teachers.

After this event all services were held in the school building.  Within a few 
weeks after its organization the Sunday School had an enrollment of 115 members.

Mr. Heindel, then a middler in Seminary, served the congregation again as supply 
pastor during the summer of 1897.

On July 1st, the Church, a frame structure 30 x 56 feet, was reported to be up 
and painted, and the bell hung in the tower.  Also the pews and pulpit furniture 
were on hand ready to be put in position.  The dedication of the Church and 
furnishings took place on September 5, 1897.  Rev. H. L. Baugher, D. D., 
performed the service dedication, assisted by Rev. Peter Livingston.

The cost of everything as it stood on the day of dedication apart from much free 
labor by the members, was about $3500.00.

The Sunday School enrollment at this time was 150, with a Church membership of 
66, a Ladies' Aid Society of 62, and a catechetical class of 16.

On October 1st, a joint meeting of the Councils of York Haven and Goldsboro 
congregations was held to act upon the question of uniting to form a Charge.  
The proposition was approved by the representatives of the congregations, and 
went into effect November 1st, 1897.

After his graduation from Seminary in 1898, Rev. Heindel accepted a call from 
this pastorate, and served it from June 1st, to September 28, when he resigned 
to accept a call from Jersey City, N.J.

During the fall of 1898 the Missionary Committee of the York Co. Conference, by 
request of the joint Councils, supplied the pulpits through students from 
Gettysburg Seminary.

On January 8, 1899, Rev. F. H. Crissman was elected pastor of the York Haven 
Charge, and began his labors February 1st, and continued until June 1st, 1903.

After Rev. Crissman's resignation, students from Gettysburg Seminary, supplied 
the congregations until Rev. J. C. McCarney came to the pastorate, and began his 
labors May 1st, 1904, and continued until November 1st, 1907.  With this 
vacancy, the President of Gettysburg Seminary was asked by the joint Councils to 
furnish supplies for the congregations until further notice.

From May, 1908, Rev. J. Roy Strock supplied the congregations with services 
until August 30, when he quit to sail for the India field as a Missionary.  From 
this time the charge was vacant until May, 1909, when Rev. J. S. Blank, upon his 
graduation from Seminary, accepted a call, and labored until February 18, 1911.

The lot adjoining the Church on the south was purchased in March, 1911, for 
$150.  The object of this purchase was eventually to build a parsonage.  The 
same year the Ladies of the Working Union feeling that they needed a hall for 
social purposes, decided to build one.  Hence they utilized the rear of the 
above lot, and had a frame building 28 x 50 feet erected, with additional room 
for a kitchen, at a cost of about $900.  Also, had a well drilled for convenient 
water.  During this period of improvements the congregation was supplied by 
students from Gettysburg Seminary until Rev. Wm. Hoffman was elected pastor, and 
entered upon his labors April 1, 1912, and served until November 1st, 1913.

On June 24, 1914, action was taken to notify the Board of Home Missions that the 
Charge would assume self-support beginning with the next quarter.

Rev. L. G. Stauffer was the first pastor under this act of independence.  His 
services began July 5, 1914.  The Sunday School room was built under Rev. 
Stauffer.

At a special meeting of Church Council, September, 1915, it was decided to build 
a S. S. room, to join the main Church on the south side.  This addition was 
completed and ready for re-opening and rededication by July, 1916.  The Building 
Committee was composed of the following persons:  Mr. Wm. Cassel, Mr. John 
Cassel, and Rev. Stauffer.  The improvements consisted of the new room 18 x 45 
feet, new pews and new carpet for the audience room of the main church, 
refrescoing of the same, a slate roof on the south side, electric lighting, and 
steam heat outfit, at a cost of $3211.  Rev. H. H. Weber preached the sermon and 
had charge of the finances on this occasion.  Rev. Stauffer resigned from the 
Charge September 30, 1917.  After his going, arrangements were made with Rev. 
Reuben S. Stair, that beginning with November, 1917, he was to fill the pulpits 
of the Charge until some time after the first of the next year.  Later he was 
elected pastor, and served the congregations from March 1st, 1918, to March 1st, 
1919.

At the meeting of Synod in Hanover, October, 1919, Zion Lutheran congregation of 
Goldsboro petitioned that body to consider favorably its withdrawal from the 
York Haven pastorate.  This move was approved by Synod, which was the beginning 
of the present pastorate of Manchester-York Haven.  This arrangement was 
consummated about the 1st of December, 1919, and the pastor of the Manchester 
congregation, Rev. J. I. Hummer, began serving the York Haven congregation at 
once.  His labors resulted in a large accession to the Church membership.  His 
work closed through resignation June 24, 1923.

On December 1st, 1923, Rev. J. H. C. Manifold became pastor.  One of the good 
things done thus far was the revising and perfecting of a Record of present 
members of the congregation, together with the work of teaching and preaching 
and catechising.  At this writing, Advent, 1924, the congregation has a son 
preparing for the ministry at the Mt. Airy Seminary in the person of Francis E. 
Shearer.