AREA HISTORY:  St. Michaels Church, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

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An Old Graveyard

As many readers of the Record Herald are aware, the Lutherans in this section erected a log 
church, called St. Michael’s Church, in 1756, on the farm owned by the heirs of the late David 
Sprenkle, a mile north of Hanover.  Over a hundred years ago this little log church was torn 
down and a new brick church erected where St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church now stands.  The 
graveyard, where many members of the log church were buried, remains on the Sprenkle farm, 
though greatly neglected; the tombstones have fallen down; and grass and weeds flourish on the 
graves.  In viewing this hallowed spot a few days ago, we observed the following inscription on 
a tombstone:

“Anna Maria Magdalena Oysterin (Eyster), born Nov. 16, 1753.  She was married to Christopher 
Schloegel (Slagel) April 18, 1776.  There was born to them twelve children.  Died October, 
1793, aged 37 years, 10 months, 1 week and 6 days.

“Selig aind des Himmel’s Erben,
Die Todten die in Horren sterban.”

The Hanover Herald – Saturday, August 14, 1908