AREA HISTORY:  Churches, Hanover, York County, PA

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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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CHURCHES – Page 581 – 587

ST. MATTHEW’S LUTHERAN CHURCH – The first German emigrants to this section of 
York County, about 1731, were soon followed by their religious teachers, and 
their first services were held in private dwelling-houses.  In 1738*, Rev, David 
Candler, according to the church record books, now in the possession of Rev. J. 
C. Koller, pastor of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, preached here.  He was a 
clergyman of very fair ability, having been educated for the ministry in 
Germany.  The first permanent organization was effected by him in May, 1743, and 
called the “Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Conewago.”  Rev. Candler 
organized “The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Monocacy,” near Frederick, 
Md., the same year, and then became the regular pastor of both congregations, 
but resided near Hanover, about one-half mile, northwest of the site of the 
present town.  A log-church and school-house combined, was built the same year 
of the organization.  The location of this building and the graveyard that 
adjoined it, was on the fork now made by the Hanover & Gettysburg Railroad and 
the turnpike to McSherrystown.  The first elders were Lenhart Barnitz, Johannes 
Morningstar, Andrew Hergar and Drederick Gelwix.  Among the principal 
contributors to the erection of the church were Philip Morningstar, Michael 
Karl, Nicholas Biedinger (Bittinger) and Christopher Schlegel (Slagle), the last 
of whom was the heaviest contributor, giving £1 3s, 9d – each of the others gave 
£1.

Among the baptismal records we find that of John Frederick Gelwix, in 1734, and 
Rev. Candler’s own children in 1738.  The first recorded baptism after 
organization was that of Jacob Euler.  The first marriage was Jacob Rohrbaugh to 
Margaret Bart.  Her name is written Bartlin; the termination “in,” the German 
ending to denote feminine gender, was frequently added to the name of an 
unmarried female at that time.

This church was the Second Lutheran Church built in Pennsylvania, west of the 
Susquehanna, taking its beginning a century and a half ago, when Pennsylvania 
was an infant colony, under George II, of England.  It was organized under the 
unaltered Augsburg Confession.

The original log-church lasted thirteen years.  Rev. Candler died in 1744, and 
his remains were interred in the graveyard adjoining the church.  There are now 
no traces of the church, and not even of the historic graveyard.  The land is 
now cultivated.  Rev. Lars Nyberg, a Swede, was the second pastor, under him 
Peter Schultz, Andrew Hergar, Michael Karl and George Sponseiler were wardens.  
Rev. Nyberg was at the same time pastor of a congregation at York and Lancaster.  
He was not true to the Lutheran tenets, and seems to have been justly accused of 
trying to introduce the Moravian faith.  He retired in 1746, and Rev. Nicke 
preached during the interim, until the election of Rev. Valentine Kraft.  During 
his pastorate the Monocacy Church was separated from this charge.

In 1752 Rev. John George Bager, the ancestor of the Baughers of the Lutheran 
Church, became pastor.  He was then thirty-eight years of age, an emigrant from 
Nassau, Germany, in which country he received his education for the ministry.  
He preached in the old log-church until 1756, when a new log-church was built 
about one mile from Hanover, near the Carlisle pike, on the farm now owned by 
the heirs of David Sprenkle.  It was built eight years before the town of 
Hanover was laid out by Richard McAllister, and seven years after York County 
was erected, and was named St. Michael’s Church.  The German Reformed people 
were allowed to hold services in it, and any other denominations having 
regularly ordained ministers.  This was about the time of the rise of infidelity 
in America; hence we find recorded on the old church books that atheists, 
deists, Unitarians, and such as profess no faith, were forbidden the use of the 
church.  It was dedicated in 1756, and the following-named persons selected as 
church officers:  Nicholas Bittinger, Frederick Gelwix, Philip Morningstar, 
Jacob Schlegel (Slagle), Jacob Berlin, Jacob Lipp, Ludwig Miller, Henry 
Schlegel, Michael Weybrecht, and Thomas McCartney.  Rev. Bager officiated until 
1763, when he resigned, and for a time was pastor of a church at York.  He 
returned again and lived in the vicinity, when he became enfeebled and died.  
Karl Frederick Wildbahn, a parochial teacher, who had been engaged to teach in 
Winchester, Va., but was driven away on account of a raid made by the Indians on 
that settlement, came to Hanover and was licensed to preach by the special 
request of the congregation.  He remained from 1765 to 1782.  The first date 
marks the passage of the Stamp Act, and the last the close of the Revolutionary 
war.  Among the list of names above recorded as church officers we find several 
who were soldiers of that war.  When Rev. Wildbahn resigned, Nicholas Bittinger 
went to the synod, which met in Philadelphia.  He was delegated to secure a 
pastor.  Not succeeding, he was authorized by that body to read printed sermons 
from the pulpit, and, if necessary, to perform other ministerial duties.

Rev. Daniel Schroeder became pastor in 1784, of whom not much is known, and for 
the succeeding six years, the history is not very definite.  There are records, 
however, of Rev. William Goering of York, occasionally preaching.  In 1790 Rev. 
F. Valentine Melsheimer was called.  At his first communion he reports 117 
members.  The congregation was still worshiping in the log building, which 
served them forty-five years.  The graveyard which surrounded this church is 
still enclosed.  There are now no remains of this, the second church building, 
in which the congregation so long worshiped, except the outlines of the 
foundation.  In the center of the graveyard, marked by a marble headstone, rest 
the remains of Rev. Bager.  He died in 1791, aged sixty-six years.  A few of the 
old tombstones are marble, but most of them sandstone, with the inscriptions 
generally carved in the German language.  The familiar names of Young (Jung), 
Welsh, Slagle, Schlentz, Karl, Metzger, Etzler, Aulebaugh, etc., are found on 
the tombs a hundred years old.  In 1801 a new church was begun on the site of 
the present one in the town of Hanover.  The lot was donated by Hon. Jacob 
Rudisill.  Col. Henry Schlegel, George Carl and Henry Schultz were the building 
committee.  It cost £1,992 16s 2d.  The spire, which still stands, was completed 
soon afterward at a cost of $1,300.  The dedicatory services lasted three days, 
and took place in 1807.  Rev. Melsheimer was a learned man, and much respected 
by the congregation, which he served twenty-five years.  His remains lie in the 
church-yard adjoining the present building.  His son, Rev. John F. Melsheimer, 
succeeded him, and continued twelve years.  In 1827, when Rev. Jonathan 
Ruthrauff became pastor, English preaching was introduced.  The name of the 
church was changed to St. Matthew’s, and a charter obtained.

Rev. Jacob Albert was elected in 1837.  During his pastorate the church was 
remodeled and repaired.  In 1848 Rev. Charles A. Hay, now of Gettysburg 
Theological Seminary, was called.  He remained one year.  The congregation was 
two years without a pastor, when Rev. D. P. Rosenmiller served six years.  After 
his resignation Rev. M. J. Alleman was elected, in 1857.  The most noteworthy 
event of his pastorate was the organization of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, in 
1865, from the large membership of St. Matthew’s.  Rev. Alleman became the 
pastor of St. Mark’s, and Rev. Samuel Yingling was called to St. Matthew’s.  The 
building was partially destroyed by fire, which broke out on Sunday morning 
during the regular services.  The loss was about $1,000.  Rev. J. C. Koller, the 
present efficient pastor, entered upon his work in 1877.  The next year the old 
brick church, which had stood about seventy-five years, was torn down, all 
except the spire, and the present one built at a cost of about $20,000.  It was 
dedicated in November, 1879.

The present membership of the church is 800 communicants, the largest 
congregation in York county.  The Sunday-school numbers 400 pupils and teachers.  
Since Rev. Mr. Koller has been pastor, 425 members have been added, and there 
has been a net gain during that time of 220 members.  A parsonage was built in 
1884, at a cost of $3,500.

* - See history of First Lutheran Church at York.  


EMANUEL’S REFORMED CHURCH – The Reformed Church at Hanover, though not formally 
organized before 1775, dates its local origin from an earlier period, prior even 
to the founding of Hanover.  As early as the 5th of May, 1747, the Reformed 
people of the vicinity partook of the holy sacrament at the hands of the pioneer 
missionary, Rev. Michael Schlatter, in a schoolhouse, situated where Christ’s 
Church now stands, near Littlestown, Adams County.

The next place of worship was in a building one mile northwest of Hanover.  
Here, conjointly with the Lutherans, they built a small church, where, at 
irregular intervals, they enjoyed the ministrations of Rev. Jacob Lischy, of 
York.

As soon as the Reformed people learned of Richard McAllister’s intention of 
founding a town, they secured from him a plat of ground for a church, a 
parsonage, a schoolhouse, and a grave-yard.  Though the deed was not drawn and 
signed till April 13, 1771, the Reformed members, six or seven years previously, 
had taken steps toward the erection of a church.  A subscription list, amounting 
to £78, was secured in 1764-65.  The list is headed with a subscription of £5 by 
Philip Meyer, followed by smaller sums from Abraham Hull, John Starck, Conrad 
Hoke, Conrad Starck, John Nicholas Forney, Philip Forney, Marks Forney, Richard 
McAllister, Adam Forney, Michael Carl, Jacob Slagle, Adam Eichelberger, Henry 
Slagle, Esq., George Zacharias, George Winebrenner, Michael Newman, Peter 
Shultz, Henry Eckert, George Motter, Nicholas Fisher, Nicholas Newman, Conrad 
Felty, Henry Forney, Ludwid Schriver, etc., most of whom have living 
representatives in the present congregation.

The date when the log church was begun cannot be ascertained, but there are 
records which show that it was in an unfinished state in 1766, though occupied 
for purposes of worship.  The bell was imported from Europe at a cost of £62; 
Col. Richard McAllister and two others contributing £3 each toward it.

For nine years there was no regular pastor.  Rev. Jacob Lischy, founder of the 
church in North Codorus Township, took great interest in the new Hanover Church, 
and doubtless rendered occasional services.  A baptism administered by him, in 
1769, is on the church record.  The first notice of the administration of the 
Lord’s Supper is under date of 1770.

1775-81 – April 28, 1775, the hitherto shepherdless flock secured a pastor, Rev. 
Carl Ludwig Boehme.  Rev. Boehme, who was of foreign birth, had previously 
served the Reformed Church at Lancaster (1770-1775), from which place he was 
called to Hanover, where he remained till 1779, resigning to accept a call to 
Baltimore.  It was under Pastor Boehme that the Reformed people at Hanover were 
formally organized by the election of a consistory – David Newman, Christian 
Muehlheim, Philip Meyer, as elders; Peter Winebrenner, Jacob Clay, and Abraham 
Hull, as deacons, were set apart to their respective offices, October 29, 1775.  
In connection with the Hanover Church, Rev. Boehme supplied Christ’s Church and 
the Abbottstown and Lower Bermudian congregations.  A schoolhouse built of logs, 
adjoining the parsonage and church.  It is yet standing, being one of the oldest 
building in Hanover.  The fact that fifty-eight persons were confirmed by the 
first pastor, during a ministry of less than four years, is an evidence of his 
earnestness and zeal, and of the youthful vigor of the Hanover congregation.

1779-1807 – Rev. John Christopher Gobrecht, the second pastor, was born in 
Germany, came to America when a young man of twenty years, and at the age of 
thirty-three, according to his own words, “was led by the Holy Spirit to enter 
the ministry, and to win souls to Christ.”  In 1779 he was called from Lancaster 
County to Hanover, where he continued twenty-eight years, when he was compelled, 
by the infirmities of age, to retire from active service.  He died here, aged 
eighty-two years.  His remains rest in the burial ground belonging to the 
congregation.  Rev. Gobrecht was an ardent patriot, and a faithful servant of 
the church.  His field of labor in the Hanover charge, already large when he 
entered it, was increased from time to time by the addition of other 
congregations.  In his time the old log church at Hanover was displaced by a new 
brick structure.

1809-14 – Rev. Charles Helfenstein, son of a minister of the church, became the 
third pastor and served about five years.  Of his ministry there is no account 
in the records of the congregation, except the baptisms administered by him.  
But at Hanover, as throughout his ministry of nearly forty-two years, he honored 
his calling by a consistent, devoted life.  During the war of 1812 his love for 
his county impelled him to urge men, publicly and privately, to rally to the 
defense of the nation.  His “political preaching” aroused partisan hostility, 
and to some extent weakened his influence.  Though sustained by a majority of 
his congregation, he concluded to withdraw, not loving strife.

1815-26 – The fourth pastor was Rev. Jacob H. Wiestling.  After serving several 
congregations in and around Manchester, Md., for a period of three years, he was 
called to Hanover.  Because of some difficulty having occurred during his former 
pastorate, he stood disconnected from the synod for some years.  But because of 
his social qualities, and more than ordinary pulpit talent, and notwithstanding 
the action of the synod, his congregation retained him.  In 1822, he was 
received again as a member of the synod.  His death occurred on the 25th of 
February, 1826.  He was buried in the graveyard belonging to the congregation, 
whence his remains were recently removed to Frederick, Md.  During Rev. 
Wiestling’s  ministry the first parsonage was torn down, and a brick building 
erected in its place.

1826-27 – May 28, 1826, Frederick W. Bindeman tendered his services to the 
Reformed people, which were accepted; but in less than a year, he was 
ignominiously expelled from pulpit and parsonage.

1827-37 – February 19, 1828, the Rev. Samuel Gutelius became pastor, and 
continued till June 19, 1837, when he resigned on account of ill health.  He was 
the first pastor who preached in the English language in Hanover.

Rev. Gutelius’ ministry was acceptable to the mass of the people.  Few men of 
the Reformed Church were more extensively and favorably known than he.  From the 
beginning to the end of his public life he enjoyed the general confidence and 
esteem of the church.  At Hanover, as in the seven other charges which he served 
during his ministry of forty-four years, he exhibited that fidelity and energy 
which distinguished him as a minister of the gospel.

1837-59 – This period of twenty-two years marks the pastorate of Rev. Jacob 
Sechler.  There are many members of the present congregation who enjoyed his 
ministration, and who bear testimony to his uprightness, earnest piety, and 
faithfulness in the discharge of his pastoral duties.

Rev. Sechler closed his labors at Hanover March 1, 1859.  After his resignation, 
the Hanover charge, then consisting of four congregations, was divided into two 
charges, named Hanover and Littlestown; Rev. Sechler becoming pastor of the 
latter.  During the latter part of Rev. Sechler’s ministry in Hanover, the 
second church was torn down, the old site abandoned, and the third (and present) 
church built at the more eligible location on Abbottstown Street, near the 
center of the town.  The dedication of this building occurred May 25, 1856.

1859-82 – Rev. William K. Zieber D. D., became the eighth pastor of the 
congregation, taking charge August 1, 1859, and continuing his labors till May 
1, 1882, when failing health compelled him to retire from the active ministry; 
though at the present time serves his church officially as stated clerk of the 
newly constituted Gettysburg Classis, to which the Hanover charge belongs.

At first Rev. Dr. Zieber served two congregations; the one in town, the other in 
the country seven miles distant.

By action of classis, May 1866, the country congregation was discontinued, and 
the Hanover Church, for the first time since its foundation, a period of 100 
years, was constituted a charge by itself.

In 1870 a new parsonage was built on the lot adjoining the church – the third 
built by the congregation.  In 1877 the present church building was thoroughly 
renewed in the interior, and handsomely furnished.  Dr. Zieber’s pastorate 
embraced not only the momentous controversial period in the Reformed Church, but 
a period also when his own congregation, with others, was exposed to the high-
tide of unchurchly emotionalism and religious sentimentalism which ignored the 
efficacy of the sacraments, and paid little, if any, regard to the divine 
factors in the constitution of the church.  Planting himself firmly upon what he 
regards as solid, churchly ground, Dr. Zieber, by his positive, christocentric 
preaching, succeeded in educating his people up to an acceptance and intelligent 
appreciation of his own position.  During his ministry the services came 
gradually to be prevailing English; there being but one German service a month 
at the close of his pastorate.

The present pastor Rev. J. C. Bowman (to whom we are indebted for this sketch), 
took charge December 1, 1882.  At the annual meeting of Gettysburg Classis, May, 
1883, at the suggestion of the pastor of the Hanover Church, a committee was 
appointed to take preliminary steps toward organizing a second Reformed Church 
in Hanover.  This movement resulted in the organization of Trinity Reformed 
Church before the close of the year.  The first church contributed to the second 
all of its German membership, together with a few others (seventy-five in all), 
and also a liberal amount of money toward the erection of church buildings.

Since the organization of Trinity Church, the services in the mother church have 
been exclusively English.

The present membership is 275.  The Sunday-school, in both departments, 220 
scholars, taught by thirty teachers.

In addition to the Sunday-school library there is a congregational library, open 
to all members of the church.  This library numbers nearly 800 volumes of choice 
books.

A missionary society, composed of members of the congregation and Sunday-school, 
meets once a month.  It has enrolled about 200 members, and contributes from 
$300 to $400 annually to the support of missions.

Emanuel’s Reformed Church is justly considered one of the most vigorous and 
active congregations of the synod.  Its members sympathize with every advance 
movement, and liberally support the literary and benevolent institutions of the 
church.


ST. MARK’S LUTHERAN CHURCH – This congregation was organized in 1864, by members 
of St. Matthew’s Church, who desired all religious services in the English 
language.  Rev. M. J. Alleman, who was then the pastor of St. Matthew’s, was 
elected pastor of the new congregation.  A building committee consisting of 
William Young, Sr., David Wortz, John Grove, David Myers and Isaac Loucks, 
purchased a lot on the east side of Carlisle Street, of William Beard, for 
$2,100.  The corner-stone of the church was laid July 20, 1864.  The clergymen 
at this service were Revs. Daniel J. Hauer, C. A. Hay, Rosenmiller, Henry and 
Alleman.  The building, which cost $14,261, was consecrated, September 24, 1865, 
by Revs. Hay, Conrad, Hauer, Alleman, Albert, Rosenmiller, Shener and Houck.  
Rev. Alleman continued pastor until 1868, and was succeeded by Rev. George 
Parson, of Milton, Penn.  A bell which weighed 1,017 pounds, was bought for $600 
in 1865.  In 1871 an organ was bought for $500, and a parsonage of Baltimore 
Street for $3,400.  This parsonage was sold, and a new one built on Abbottstown 
Street, in 1885, at a cost of $8,000, including lot.  In July, 1875, Rev. Parson 
received a call to Williamsport, Penn., and Rev. Daniel Shindler, D. D., became 
the pastor, and served the congregation until the 13th of May, 1883, when he 
moved to Lancaster, Ohio.  Rev. George Scholl, D. D., of Baltimore, assumed 
charge of it in January, 1884, and is now the pastor.  The membership under him 
has greatly increased, and now numbers 275 communicants.  The church building, 
during the year 1884, was remodeled and enlarged, at a cost of $13,000, 
including a large pipe-organ, purchased in Boston.  The oriole bell of 
Baltimore, weighing 2,000 pounds, was presented to the congregation by William 
Grumbine, of Hanover, in 1884.  It is also the town clock.  The Sunday-school 
which was organized in 1865, now numbers 300 pupils.  J. F. W. Sleeder is the 
superintendent.  There is a library of well selected books in connection with 
this church.


METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH - Rev. James Reed, in the year 1808, first preached 
the doctrines of Wesleyan Methodism in Hanover, holding services in a log-house 
on Frederick Street, owned by Richard Chester.  He preached once a month for 
nearly a year, when the services were discontinued, and Methodist preaching was 
not again regularly heard in Hanover until 1825.  In that year a young man from 
Hagerstown, Md., visited Hanover, and arranged for services.  The first minister 
who came was Rev. Kennerly, an eloquent speaker.  In December, 1825, a 
schoolhouse that stood on Carlisle Street, where John S. Young now lives, was 
used.  Shortly after a schoolhouse on Frederick Street (now used as the 
Spectator office) was rented from Mrs. Ritz, and therein services were held for 
five years.  In 1827 Hanover was placed in the Gettysburg Circuit under Revs. 
Samuel Clark and George Hildt, and in September of that year the first class was 
formed of four members.  By the end of 1827, the class had doubled its 
membership.  The class meetings were held at the house of Abraham Lammott, on 
Baltimore Street, and afterward at the house of Alexander McIlvane, on York 
Street.  In 1827-29 Revs. W. O. Lumsdon, T. H. W. Monroe and J. H. Brown, were 
circuit preachers.  In 1829-1830 Revs. Samuel Kepler and John C. Lyon, and, in 
1830-31, Revs. J. Monroe, R. Clark and Wesley Howe.

In 1829 a lot on Baltimore Street was bought for $60, from George Himes.  A 
brick church was built at a cost of about $1,000, and was dedicated November 27 
and 28, 1830, Rev. Monroe, officiating.  In 1859 Hanover was made a station.  In 
1863 William Wirt presented to the congregation a log of ground on Frederick 
Street, and in the spring of 1864 the erection of a new church was commenced 
thereon, which was dedicated June 11, 1865.  The old church on Baltimore Street 
was sold to St. Joseph’s Catholic congregation, and is now used for parochial 
school purposes.  In 1867 the church at New Oxford was added to this station.  
In 1883 the audience chamber was remodeled and the walls frescoed.  Church 
membership, 100.  The Sunday-school is superintended by F. A. Ziegler; it 
numbers 150 members.

The following is a list of the names of ministers in charge during the years 
named:   
1832-33 – Charles B. Young and J. L. Pitts.
1834-35 – Charles B. Young and J. W. Richardson
1835-36 – R. Bond and C. J. Housewest.
1837-38 – A. Smith and J. H. Brown.
1838-39 – Amos Smith and J. M. Jones.
1839-40 – H. Furlong and J. M. Jones.
1841-42 – J. Forrest and Wesley Howe.
1842-43 – T. McGee and H. Hoffman.
1843-44 – T. McGee and T. Reese.
1845-46 – D. Hartman and J. Boggs.
1846-47 – D. Hartman and T. W. Ewing.
1847-48 – J. Bards and W. Mewinger.
1848-49 – J. Bards and J. W. Etcheson.
1850-51 – F. Dyson and F. S. Cassaday.
1851-52 – F. L. Switzer, William Butlet and Henry Bellman.
1852-53 – F. L. Switzer and John B. Dean.
1853-54 – J. R. Darborow and D. W. Price.
1854-55 – J. R. Darborow and D. Monroe.
1855-56 – W. M. Gwynn and W. A. Snively.
1856-57 – W. M. Gwynn, R. E. Wilson and J. C. Stevens.
1857-58 – O. Ege and J. C. Stevens.
1858-59 – O. Ege and G. W. Dunlap.
1859-60 – Edward Kinsey.
1861-62 – J. P. Swanger
1862-63 – J. S. McMurray.
1863-64 – A. W. Guyer.
1864-65 – J. C. Stevens.
1865-66 – W. A. Houck.
1867-68 – J. A. Ross.
1868-69 – F. Gearhart.
1869-70 – J. A. Dixon.
1871-73 – W. H. Keith.
1873-76 – Milton Frost.
1876-79 – A. W. Miller.
1879-81 – A. F. Gibson.
1881-83 – William McKendree Reily.
1883    - J. C. McCord.


ST. JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC CHURCH – St. Joseph’s draws its existence from an humble 
origin.  Between 1820 and 1830 the first mass, of which there is any record, was 
celebrated by Rev. Father De Barth from Conewago Chapel, a shop being used as a 
place of worship.  Father De Barth exchanged Conewago for Baltimore in 1828, and 
no traces are left of any service till 1853, when Rev. Father Cotting gathered 
the Catholic children for an occasional instruction in catechism.  With the 
removal of the father from the chapel, the instructions ceased.  An entire 
decade passed away, till Father Dompieri, in 1863, made a successful attempt.  
The holy sacrifice of the mass was once more offered up, some thirty persons 
being in attendance.  The place of worship was in the dwelling of the late Jacob 
Hilt, on Carlisle Street, now the house of Mrs. Joseph Dellone.  He zeal and 
untiring efforts established a regular weekly divine service, held on Wednesday.  
The room, changed into a chapel, did not grow in dimensions as Catholicity waxed 
in numbers; and no St. Gregory Thamaturgus being at had to push out the walls, 
the good father, the year following, purchased the Methodist Episcopal Church on 
Baltimore Street for $900.  After the proper repairs of the building, the 
Wednesday service was increased by mass and sermon twice a month, on Sunday.  
The divine seed did not fall upon stony ground.  In 1868 the church was enlarged 
by an addition of 40 x 35 feet at a cost of $2,145.  The old church served also 
as a schoolroom.  The school had nearly 100 children, taught by Miss Alice 
Dellone.  A cupola was built and a bell of 1,834 pounds, costing $945, was 
placed in it.  It was the largest in the town until 1884.

Scarcely seven summers had passed, and the new structure completed by Rev. Fr. 
Manns, proved to be too short and too narrow for the growth of the Catholic 
population.  Adjoining lots were secured, with a two story brick building, which 
was remodeled for school purposes and a dwelling for the teachers.  A draft was 
made for a new temple, the limits were staked off (140 x 54) in spring 1877, and 
in October following the corner-stone was laid in the presence of several 
thousand people.  The late Rev. Joseph Enders of Conewago Chapel presided on the 
occasion, being the chief promoter of the new edifice.  Some folks became 
prophetic that by Christmas the building would be under roof.  Their intention 
was praiseworthy, but material aid did not keep pace with their wishes.  The 
work lay dormant till May, 1878, when it was plied in earnest and with vigor.  
Toward the 4th of July, the walls and tower had reached their proper height, the 
roof was framed, and in the fall the church was covered.  The pastor was pressed 
on all sides to hasten the work.  Money was offered in abundance, but with a 
little clause – at 6 per cent.  Every offer was thankfully declined.  The 
pastor’s determination not to contract debt was like a wall of brass.  His 
principle is at present admired by all.  It was consecrated November 1, 1880.  
The extire expense, together with the tower and steeple and stained glass 
windows, reached the sum of a little less than $20,000.  The present 
congregation counts 700 souls, under the pastoral care of the venerable Father 
Emig.


TRINITY REFORMED CHURCH – This congregation was organized on the 4th of January, 
1884, with a membership of 125.  Of this number, seventy-five were members of 
Emanuel’s Reformed Church, of Hanover, who joined the new organization.  The 
first elders elected were Dr. O. T. Everhart, Abraham Baker and Jonas Rebert; 
the first deacons were William Hoke and Jacob Siegfried.  The congregation 
unanimously called as their pastor, Rev. H. Hilbish, who, at the time, was 
pastor of several congregations surrounding Hanover.  His charge was 
reconstructed when he accepted the pastorship of Trinity Church, and still 
continued to preach for two other congregations, viz.:  Sherman’s and 
Bartholomew’s.  Trinity congregation worshipped for a time in the United 
Brethren Chapel, on Abbottstown Street.  A building committee, composed of 
Samuel Swartz, A. Baker and Charles Bowman, was appointed; a lot on York Street 
was purchased of Peter Flickinger, for $1,800.  The corner-stone of the church 
was laid on Whit-Monday, 1884.  The chapel was dedicated October 19, of the same 
year, by Rev. Clever, of Baltimore, and Rev. Dr. Santee, of Cavetown, Md.  The 
church, in August, 1885, is not quite completed, the chapel being still used as 
a place of worship.  The cost of the church, when completed, will be $15,000.  
The congregation, under the pastoral care of Rev. Hilbish, is rapidly increasing 
in its membership, and now numbers 235.  The Sunday-school of 165 members is 
superintended by Dr. O. T. Everhart.


UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST – A church was built in 1847.  The board of trustees 
and building committee were Martin Lohr, George W. Stouffer and Simon Bishop.  
The church was dedicated October 24, 1847, by Bishop Russell.  The other 
clergymen present were Revs. George Miller, P. E., John Fohl, Samuel Enterline 
and J. C. Smith.  Rev. J. Fohl became the first pastor.  A Sunday-school of 
twenty-five pupils was started in 1851, with Daniel Diehl as superintendent.  
The present church was built in 1877, with a fund bequeathed to the congregation 
by the will of Rev. Martin Lohr, who labored long and faithfully for the 
spiritual interest of the congregation, and contributed liberally to the support 
of the church in general.  A Sunday-school is connected with the church, and is 
superintended by J. C. Hoffman.  Rev. Nicholas is pastor.


MENNONITE CHURCH – Near the north end of Abbottstown Street, Hanover, stands the 
neat, plain and comfortable Mennonite Church, which, was built in 1881, at a 
cost of $2,500.  It is connected with Bair’s Meeting House in Heidelberg 
Township, and Hostetter’s Meeting House in Adams County, all the members who 
worship in three houses mentioned, form a congregation of about 100 families.  
Samuel Myers, Martin Whistler and Jacob Hostetter, Sr., are the present 
ministers.  The services are conducted in English and German.  The committee, 
who superintended the building of the Hanover Church were David Forry, Samuel 
Witmer and Jacob Fry.  The present elders are Samuel Grove, and Samuel Forry.  
This religious denomination being plain and unostentatious, does not have a 
dedicatory service.  When a house of worship is completed it is at once used.  
The first services is no way differ from the other regular services.  In 1883 a 
Sunday-school was organized and has since then been regularly held.