AREA HISTORY:  Religious Societies, Dover 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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RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES – Page 679

Mennonite Meeting House – On the 10th of May, 1825, John Lethra, Henry Sipe and 
Joseph Hershey as trustees for the Mennonite congregation of Dover Township 
purchased of John Brubaker for $1, eighty perches of land on which to build a 
meeting-house.  The land was deeded to the above names members in trust, and to 
their successors forever who may be appointed by a majority of the members of 
said congregation after the death or resignation of said trustees.

The land was located on the road leading then from Jacob Frick’s Mill to Philip 
Smyser’s Mill.  This church now belongs to the Codorus charge, which includes a 
church in Washington and one in Codorus.  Daniel Bare and Abraham Roth were 
among the early preachers of this church in York County organized in 1753.  Next 
ministers were Josiah Hershey, Benjamin Hershey and S. L. Roth.  The last three 
are the present ministers.  The membership is forty-five.


Rohler’s Union Church – This church is located in the northeast end of the 
township, was built in 1870 of excellent native sandstone at a cost of $800, and 
dedicated by Revs. Raber, Craumer and Brickley.  Philip Crone and John H. Myers, 
did the mason work.  The trustees and building committee were Samuel Kunkle, 
John H. Myers and Henry S. Crone.  It is now used by the United Brethren in 
Christ only.  There are thirty members.

On the 19th of March, 1800, Jacob Rohler for 1 pound and 10 shillings deeded “one 
acre of land adjoining a graveyard to Hugh Laird, John Richcreek and John 
Miller, trustees, on which land was to be built a new schoolhouse and Union 
meeting-house for any that preach the gospel.”  Near this same spot the old 
Dover Baptist congregation worshiped, of which mention is made on page 384.


Lutheran Church – A few hundred yards west of Rohler’s Church stands the new 
Lutheran Church, built in 1870.  The congregation previously worshiped in the 
Union Church built in 1800.  The new church cost about $1,000.  The following 
named clergymen have officiated here:  Revs. Finfrock, Focht, Dasher, Seiffert 
and Ebrhard.


United Brethren Church is located on the Bull Road, in Dover Township, near the 
boundary line with Conewago.  It was built in 1858.