AREA HISTORY:  Churches, Conewago Township, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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CHURCH HISTORY – Page 680

Zion, Lutheran and Reformed Church – Near the banks of the little Conewago, on a 
gentle elevation with a commanding view of the surrounding country, stands a 
large and handsome building long since known as “Quickel’s Church,” owned by the 
Lutheran and Reformed denominations.  Three early German settlers, Frederick 
Shunk, in 1767 purchased a tract of land containing thirty acres for £7 15s. 9d.  
This land is now a part of Jacob Bear’s farm, and was at the time of the purchase 
located in Dover Township, as Conewago was not formed until forty years later.  
Upon this tract was a stone school building, the first one erected in that 
section, and tradition says was then old.  It has been used for school purposes 
and occasionally for religious worship.  Rev. John George Bager, an earnest and 
faithful missionary among the German settlers, and a man of rare culture and 
intelligence, effected an organization of the Lutherans June 2, 1767, soon after 
the purchase of the land.  The Reformed congregation was organized about the same 
time as the Lutheran.  The large tract was sold and March 20, 1770, a deed was 
executed by Michael Quickel and Barbara, his wife, conveying two acres and forty-
seven perches, the site of the present church, for consideration of 40 shillings, 
to “Conrad Becker, Sebastian Fink, Jacob Hake, Paul Wilt, Ludwig Meyer and George 
Schmied, elders and trustees of a church which the Lutherans and Calvinists 
(Reformed) now have in this township.”  Michael Quickel stipulated in the deed of 
conveyance that his wife Barbara should have a pew during her life in the new 
church, which was built of logs the same year.  The stone building continued to 
be used for a parochial school.

For many years these humble worshipers who gathered here were satisfied with the 
log building; eventually it was enlarged, weather-boarded and rededicated.  
Becoming old and dilapidated, and not large enough to accommodate the 
congregations, in 1850, after being used eighty-three years, was removed and the 
present large brick church erected.  In 1881 it was remodeled and surmounted with 
a spire 100 feet high, and a bell weighing 1,500 pounds was purchased.  Rev. C. 
J. Deininger became pastor of the Lutheran congregation in April, 1858, since 
which time to his death in 1885 he administered here the rite of baptism to 690 
infants, 63 adults, officiated at 333 funerals and confirmed 419 members.  The 
Lutheran pastors who have served this congregation since its organization in 
order of succession have been as follows:  Revs. Bager (Baugher), Lucas Raus 
(Rouse), John Nicholas Kurtz, Jacob Georing, John George Schmucker, A. H. 
Lochman, C. J. Deininger and J. Henry Lesser.  The present church membership of 
the Lutheran denomination is 425.

The Reformed Congregation was organized in 1765, and at first ministered to by 
the pastors of the York Church, among whom were Revs. George Geistweite, James 
Ross Riley, Lewis Mayer, Daniel Ziegler and David Bossler.  Rev. Rhinehart Smith 
is the present pastor.  The church was incorporated in 1790.

Green Spring Church – This church was built in 1877 by S. Aurand, preacher in 
charge.  The following ministers were present when dedicated:  S. Aurand, H. W. 
Buck and H. W. Gross.  The trustees are Samuel Bahn, John Thomas and William 
Linebaugh.  S. Aurand and H. W. Gross were the first pastors, followed by S. 
Yearick, C. M. Finkbinder, H. D. Greninger, M. J. Snyder and L. E. Crumbling.  
The last named is pastor at present.