AREA HISTORY: The First Methodist Episcopal Church, York County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/york/ _______________________________________________ History of York County, Pennsylvania. John Gibson, Historical Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886. _______________________________________________ THE FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH – Page 541 A reminiscence of the introduction of Methodism into York County, is given in an article in the general history, entitled “Religious Denominations.” There are no records to show the prosperity of this denomination in York from 1781 to 1819. During the later date, Rev. Andrew Hemphill was stationed here, and the congregations had a membership of 122. Mr. Hemphill was succeeded, in 1821, by Rev. William Prettyman. In 1822 Rev. Robert S. Vinton and the Rev. Tobias Reily were appointed by conference, the former to York Station, the latter to York Circuit; in 1823 Rev. Joseph Larkin. In 1824 the congregation numbered 146 members, and was supplied by the Rev. Charles A. Davis. In 1825 Basil Barry was the clergyman of the congregation here, and was reappointed in 1826. In 1827 Andrew Hemphill supplied the congregation, which, at that time, numbered 208 members. Mr. Hemphill was reappointed to the station in 1828. In 1829 Henry Smith and James Brent were sent to York Station. In 1830 Mr. Smith was here alone. In 1831 and 1932 John A. Gere supplied this station. In 1833 conference appointed Edward Smith, and at their session in 1834 reappointed the same gentleman: 1835, Charles Kalfus; 1836-37, Tobias Reily; 1838-39, John L. Gibbons; 1840, John Poisel; 1841, John C. Lyon; 1842-43, John A. Henning; 1844-45, George C. Chenowith; 1846- 47, Joseph France; 1848, James Sewel; 1850-51, William Wicks, 1852, William D. Clemm; 1854-54, Robert S. Vinton; 1855-56, James Brads; 1857-58, John Stine; 1859-60, Joseph A. Ross; 1861, D. S. Monroe; 1862, Joseph France; 1863, John H. C. Dosch; 1866, N. S. Buckingham; 1868, William R. Mills; 1869, Henry C. Westwood; 1871, W. M. Ryan, M. D.; 1872, D. S. Monroe; 1874, A. M. Barnitz; 1876, S. L. Bowman, D. D.; 1879, J. H. McGarrah; 1881, S. C. Swallow; 1884, J. Max Lautz. The present church membership is 388. There is a Sunday-school of 421 members; B. F. Frick is superintendent. The first house of worship belonging to the Methodists of York was built on the site of the first United Brethren in Christ Church, west of the Codorus. That property was sold in 1840 and on an eligible spot on the corner of Philadelphia and Duke Streets, a church was built which was used until a few years ago, when the present handsome church was erected. West Princess Street Methodist Episcopal Church and Ridge Avenue Church grew out of mission work from Beaver Street Church when under the pastoral care of Rev. S. C. Swallow. The Princess Street Church was the direct result of a Sunday-school opened in September, 1881, in a schoolhouse in West York, then known as Smysertown. Prof. W. H. Shelley was the superintendent. A church was built and dedicated in 1882. The Sunday-school now numbers 150 pupils. The Ridge Avenue Church was dedicated in 1884, and together with the Princess Street Church form one charge, under the pastoral care of Rev. Metzler. This charge will soon be self-sustaining. At present $250 are paid to it from the First Church. Methodism has grown rapidly and prosperously in York within the past five years.