AREA HISTORY:  Hopewell Presbyterian Church, Hopewell Township, 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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HOPEWELL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH – Page 750

The early facts concerning the history of this church have been lost, so that the date of its 
organization is merely conjectural.  In the roll of the churches, as given in the manual of 
Westminster Presbytery, the date of its organization is given as 1756, followed by an 
interrogating mark.  The volume of the minutes of Donegal and Carlisle Presbyteries for that 
period has been lost, hence the date cannot be verified.  In the records, under date of June 5, 
1759, there is the following minute, viz:  “A supplication from the inhabitants of Shrewsbury 
(Hopewell Township was not yet erected) to be formed into a congregation, was brought in and 
read.  The action was deferred until the people of Guinston be notified.  Ordered that Mr. L. 
Smith write to the people of Guinston.”  The request seems to have been granted subsequently, 
however, for under the date of April 15, 1760, there was a supplication from Shrewsbury Church 
for supplies; and in 1761, a supplication from York and Shrewsbury for the appointment of Mr. 
Hanna as their stated supply for one year, promising £90 during that time.  Permission was 
given to these congregations to invite him to preach for them, until the meeting of the synod 
and presbytery allowed him to comply with this invitation.  The most definite information is 
that a congregation was organized, a log church built at Round Hill, about 1770.  Rev. Joseph 
Long of the Presbytery of Carlisle was stated supply for one year.  The elders during this 
period were William Smith and Andrew Duncan.  The congregation seems to have been dependent on 
the presbytery for supplies until 1791.  In 1790 a new log church was built in a more central 
location.  On December 20, 1791, the congregations of York and Hopewell called Rev. Dr. 
Cathcart (see page 411).  James Wilson, Robert Anderson, Michael Morrison, Andrew Warwick and 
Robert Gemmill were then ruling elders of this church.

On Saturday, November 6, 1813, at a meeting of the heads of families of the congregations of 
Hopewell in the house of Samson Smith a series of resolutions were agreed to, relating to the 
building of a new house of worship.  It was built that year and the name changed from Round 
Hill to Hopewell, though Hopewell seems to have been given it in minutes of presbyters as early 
as 1783.  In 1818 Henry Manifold, John Gemmill, Benjamin Payne and James Patterson were ruling 
elders.  The communicant membership then was 160.  In 1834 Andrew Anderson, Andrew Gordon, 
Robert Wilson and Hugh Hogg were ruling elders.  Dr. Cathcart preached is farewell sermon in 
November, 1834, having served nearly forty-two years.  After he left, the congregation was 
supplied by Revs. Boyer and Houston for one year, and on the death of Mr. Houston by Mr. Boyer 
for another year, after which it had occasional supplies, among whom are mentioned, J. M. Boggs 
and S. M. Boyless.  The latter was appointed to supply Hopewell Church one half of the time 
October, 1843.  Rev. L. H. Smith was ordained and installed pastor of Hopewell and Stewartstown 
Churches, June 17, 1745, served these congregations with great acceptance for twelve years, and 
died February 4, 1857.  Messrs. Porter, C. W. Stewart, J. A. Divine and others served as 
supplies.  June 27, 1858, Rev. J. Y. Cowhick, a licentiate of the presbytery of Columbus, Ohio, 
began supplying the church, and was installed pastor for one half of his time Friday, May 6, 
1859.  In the same year John Manifold, A. C. Manifold, Samson Smith, Sr. and John Trout were 
ruling elders.  The church then had 131 members.  In 1867 John Anderson, William Wilson and 
John Hyson were ruling elders.  Rev. J. Y. Cowhick continued as pastor of this church in 
connection with Stewartstown and Center Churches until September 24, 1873, when he was released 
from Hopewell, to give his whole time to Stewartstown and Center.

In September, 1874, the present pastor, Rev. T. L. Springer (to whom we are under many 
obligations for this sketch), became the supply.  He received a call the same year, and was 
ordained and installed pastor.  At his time the church had 135 communicants.  The session 
consisted of its present members, viz.:  Robert Wilson, William Wilson, A. C. Manifold, John 
Anderson and John Hyson.  At the present time, 1885, there are 173 communicants.  In 1876 the 
church building was thoroughly and tastefully refitted.  It now is comfortable, neat and 
attractive.