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

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Abby Bowman

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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 496-497

ST. PAUL'S LUTHERAN CHURCH OF MT. PLEASANT

(Lebanon Charge)

REV. WILLIS R. BRENNEMAN, PASTOR

St. Paul's Congregation of Mt. Pleasant was probably organized by Rev. Andrew 
Berg, pastor of the Shrewsbury Charge.  A School for some years conducted in 
Miller's Stone School House attracted the attention of Rev. Berg, and possibly 
other neighboring ministers, who encouraged the organization of a congregation 
and the building of a new church.  Accordingly in the year 1857, upon ground 
deeded by Abraham Miller, a union church was built by Lutheran and Reformed 
congregations.  For some time Rev. Berg continued to supply the congregation.  
Just when his ministry ends and that of Rev. J. Kaempfer begins is uncertain.  
The dates of the early pastors are indefinite.

Very early in its history Mt. Pleasant became associated with the congregations 
of the Windsor Charge, and later the Dallastown Charge.  Whether it was really a 
part of these charges is not certain.  However, all the pastors who served these 
charges also preached at Mt. Pleasant.  Rev. John Conoway of the Windsor Charge 
was pastor of the congregation not less than nine years.  Under the ministry of 
Rev. Peter Warner, who served the Dallastown Charge from 1871 to 1882, Mt. 
Pleasant was regarded as a member of the Charge and consequently enjoyed the 
regular service of this faithful minister.

The decade following the death of Rev. Warner was a period of considerable 
struggle and readjustment.  The Reformed Congregation weakened and Mt. Pleasant 
ceased to be known as a Union church.  Rev. E. Lenhart from 1882 to 1886 labored 
faithfully to put new life into the congregation.  Rev. C. W. Baker serving from 
July 1, 1886, to September 1, 1888, was successful in overcoming certain 
elements that threatened the life of the congregation, as well as in 
strengthening the membership.  When Rev. M. V. Shatto therefore became pastor 
the congregation was prepared to remodel the church at a cost of $2000.  Rev. 
Shatto served the congregation from January 1, 1889, until January 1, 1892.

At the expiration of Rev. A. M. Heilman's ministry, which dates from March 1, 
1892, to December 1, 1894, the Dallastown Charge was divided and Mt. Pleasant 
now continued as a part of the new Red Lion Charge.  Of this field Rev. H. E. 
Berkey became the first pastor.  During his ministry the church was repaired at 
a cost of $700.  He served from June 1, 1895, until January 1, 1901.

Rev. Berkey was followed by Rev. U. E. Apple who entered the work April 1, 1901.  
October 15 of that year Mt. Pleasant and Sadler's withdrew from the Red Lion 
Charge to unite with the Lebanon Charge.  The pastors who served Mt. Pleasant as 
a part of the Lebanon Charge are as follows:  Rev. G. A. Livingston, October 15, 
1901, to September 1, 1904; Rev. Luther E. Henry, April 1, 1905, to June 15, 
1914; Rev. H. C. Aroh, October 1, 1914, to July 1, 1917; Rev. D. S. Weimer, 
November 1, 1917, to April 1, 1919; Rev. C. H. Shull, Ph. D., August 1, 1919, to 
November 1, 1921; Rev. Willis R. Brenneman, May 15, 1922-- .

The membership of the congregation is 110.  Members of the Council are the 
following:  D. A. Breneman, John Miller, D. A. Hess, Daniel Althouse, Melvin 
Hess and Edw. Sweitzer.