CHURCH: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Felton, 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 495-496

ST. PAUL'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, FELTON, PA.

(Lebanon Charge)

REV. WILLIS R. BRENNEMAN, PASTOR

St. Paul's Congregation of Felton was organized in 1888 by Rev. Peter 
Livingston, who was then serving the Lebanon Charge, consisting of Lebanon, St. 
James', and Stahley's (St. Lukes).  The pastor lived at Felton, where no church 
had yet been established.  Convinced that the Lutheran Church should embrace the 
opportunity of establishing a church in the town, Rev. Livingston agitated the 
question, and on the 3rd of April, 1888, ground was broken.  A building 32 by 36 
was erected and dedicated, September 30th, 1888, Rev. G. W. Enders, D.D., 
preaching the dedicatory sermon.  Upon the same day the Sunday School was 
organized.  The Constitution for the Church was signed by 18 members.  The 
Congregation was added to the Lebanon Charge, which Rev. Livingston served until 
June 22, 1890.

Rev. D. S. Kurtz was the second pastor to serve the Congregation, having assumed 
charge, December 4th, 1890, and resigning, December 31st, 1893.

During the pastorate of Rev. Edmund Manges a debt of $630 was liquidated.  On 
April 1st, 1899, the Charge was divided, St. James' and Stahley's forming the 
Chanceford Charge, while the Lebanon Charge now comprised Lebanon and St. Paul's 
congregations.  After the division, Rev. Manges served the Lebanon Charge until 
November 1st, 1899.  From June 1st to November 1st, he also supplied Christ 
Church, at Loganville.

Succeeding Rev. Manges, Rev. S. J. Ulrich served the Charge for 9 months.

When Rev. G. A. Livingston became pastor, Sadler's and Mt. Pleasant 
congregations had been added to the Charge.  He was the first pastor to serve 
the Lebanon Charge under this arrangement.  Rev. Livingston served from October 
15th, 1901, to September 1st, 1904.

The ministry of Rev. L. E. Henry, covering a period of more than 9 years, is 
marked with faithfulness and steady growth.

During the pastorate of Rev. H. C. Aroh, the present parsonage was built by the 
Charge.

Rev. D. S. Weimer, assumed charge, November 1st, 1917, and resigned, April 1st, 
1919.

Rev. C. H. Shull, Ph. D., followed, serving from August 1st, 1919, until 
November 1st, 1921.

The present pastor assumed charge, May 15th, 1922.  The membership of the 
Congregation is 63, 27 having been received during the present pastorate.  The 
installation of a pipeless furnace, the wiring of the church, the laying of a 
new carpet, and the painting of the exterior of the church, are the improvements 
that have recently been made, at a cost of $810.

The members of the first Council were:  Elders, Henry Seitz, Jacob Diehl; 
Deacons, John Runkle, Conrad Hake.

The first Baptism recorded is that of Mary Leah Livingston, daughter of Rev. 
Peter and Sadie Livingston, September 30th, 1888.

The first to be received by Confirmation were Catharine Miller and Ida Briggs, 
April 14th, 1889.

The first Holy Communion service was held April 14th, 1889.  At this service 19 
members communed.  Members of the present council are C. D. Seitz, H. G. Seitz, 
William Hannigan and L. E. Sentz.