AREA HISTORY:  Lutheran and Reformed Church, Lower Windsor Township, 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.
_______________________________________________

LUTHERAN AND REFORMED CHURCH – Page 730

Most of the first settlers of this township were Germans, and the first religious 
services were held in their native tongue, in the homes of the well-to-do pioneers, 
and conducted by missionaries.  These people before they left the fatherland, were 
members either of the Lutheran or German Reformed Church.  These two denomination in 
1763, joined together in the erection of a house of worship.

The whole community assisted in building it, and no one, except the joiner, whose 
name was Gossler, received any pay for his work.  Henry Amend was the carpenter, and 
he was assisted by Michael Kauffelt.  Amend accepted no pay, so the community raised 
money quietly and purchased a fine suit of clothes which was presented to him.  This 
was not of the characteristic “linsey-woolsey” of that day, but cloth of fine 
quality, says the tradition.  The church was dedicated in 1764.  It lasted about 
thirty-six years.  It was resolved in 1801 to build a new brick church.  A committee 
was appointed, consisting of Michael Kauffelt and Anthony Keller, Lutherans, and 
Conrad Leber and Gen. Jacob Dritt, Reformed, Mathias Becker was treasurer.  After 
the church was completed, an organ was purchased from Christian Rathfon, of 
Lancaster.  A pipe organ was bought of Joseph Small, of York, in 1816, which was 
used in this church until a few years ago.  The records of the Lutheran Church book 
show that the following named persons:  Revs. Schaum, Heckheimer, Bager, Raus, 
Conwell and Lischy, conducted missionary services among the early settlers until 
1769.  Rev. Nicholas Kurtz and Jacob Goering preached at York and at this place each 
regularly at different periods until 1807, at which time Rev. Goering died, while 
pastor of the First Lutheran Church, of York.  In 1809, Rev. J. G. Schmucker became 
pastor.  In 1814, this church and the Kreutz Creek Church were separated from the 
York charge.  Rev. Charles Morris officiated in this church from 1814 to 1818, when 
he resigned and entered business.  For many years he was known very familiarly in 
York and the county, as proprietor of the “Morris Drug Store.”  Rev. John Herbst was 
next pastor for one year.  Rev. John G. Graber (Craver), was called in 1819, and 
remained as a devoted pastor until 1834.  He was the father of John Craver, 
connected with York County National Bank.  Rev. Graber lived during his entire 
pastorate, in the present residence of James Kell, of York.

In 1835, Rev. Jonathan Oswald succeeded.  He introduced English preaching gradually, 
until one-half the services were conducted in that language.  Rev. Dr. Oswald was 
like a father among his people, and during his long ministerial labors of forty 
years, was successful in greatly increasing the membership of the church.  He 
preached his last sermon to this congregation on Sunday, June 20, 1875, and now 
resides in York.

The present church was built in 1867.  It is located on a beautiful site, an 
extended view over a large scope of country on both sides of the Susquehanna, is 
afforded the observer.  P. W. Keller was the contractor, John Libhart and Samuel 
Leber, Reformed, and George Keller and Samuel Gilbert, Lutherans, formed the 
building committee.  The audience room up stairs, is large and comfortable, and the 
ceiling is beautifully frescoed.  Jacob M. Lieberknect is the present sexton and 
organist.

To the east of the church is the old graveyard, where silently sleep many of the 
early inhabitants of Conojohela Valley.  The names on the tombstones indicate that 
they were Germans.  Some of the inscriptions are in their native tongue.   

To the west of the church is a handsomely kept cemetery, containing many large 
marble monuments.  Near the entrance is a marble column, dedicated to Peter Keller, 
who recently died aged ninety-three years.

A parsonage, now occupied by the sexton, and fifteen acres of land adjoining, is a 
part of the church property.  Rev. L. K. Sechrist is the present pastor of the 
Lutheran congregation, with a membership of about 260 communicants.  He also 
preaches at Kreutz Creek.

The records do not show when the Reformed congregation was organized nor who was the 
pastor, from the time of the erection of the church, to 1771.  From this date to 
1774, it is inferred that Rev. Daniel Wagner was its pastor.  He was succeeded, 
after an interval, by Revs. James R. Reiley, G. Geistweit, D. Zacharias, D.D., D. 
Ziegler, D.D., R. Rahauser, E. G. Williams and A. Wanner, D.D., who took charge of 
the congregation April 1, 1882.  The number of Reformed members is 100.

The Sunday-school in this church was organized in 1840, in a schoolhouse, about 
three-quarters of a mile west from the church.  Henry Y. Slaymaker, of Margaretta 
Furnace, was the first superintendent.  In 1857, it was removed to the church, where 
it has since been continued as a union school.  After its removal to the church, 
John Hellerman was its first superintendent.  The school in 1885, numbered 204 
members, and was superintended by Reuben Paules.