AREA HISTORY: Churches of Paradise Township, York County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis Copyright 2005. 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. _______________________________________________ CHURCHES – Page 683-684 The Holz-Schwamm Church – This historic old church originated in 1775. Rev. Jacob Goering, who then lived at Carlisle, was first pastor. Rev. Dr. Schmucker was pastor in 1809. Rev. Conrad Reiman in 1817, who lived in Abbottstown. It was first owned by the Lutherans, and the congregation for many years ministered to, by the pastors of St. Matthew’s Church of Hanover. Rev. Jacob Lischy, as early as 1750, performed the duties of a missionary through this section for the German Reformed denomination, and Rev. William Otterbein, of the same denomination, for a short time preached here. On February 15, 1826, an article of agreement was formed between the Lutheran and German Reformed congregations, which gave to each equal rights and privileges to the church, church property and burying-ground. Both congregations appointed a day to meet in said church on account of a disturbance that took place concerning the title made for the land and all the improvements thereon erected. Rev. Jacob Albert, the pastor, was appointed chairman of the meeting, and Jacob Ernst, secretary. Rev. Albert stated to the meeting that the original deed of the land was granted to the Lutherans only, but as the Reformed congregation had assisted for a number of years past to improve the building, graveyard and fences, he requested all present at the meeting to decide whether the “Reformed people, or Presbyterians” shall have the same right as the Lutherans. It was unanimously agreed to, and also that the elders and wardens then belonging to the two congregations shall enter into an article and bind themselves that none of said congregation shall be disturbed, and that one denomination shall have the same power as the other. “That the words in the old deed which saith ‘only for the use of the Lutherans,’ shall be considered null and void forever, and shall also be for the use of the Lutherans and Reformers, or Presbyterians, forever.” The following named church officers bound themselves and their successors to fulfill the article of agreement: John Trostle and Ludwig Swartz, elders, and William Trostle, Samuel Zerfas, John Baker and Daniel March, wardens of said congregations, Lutheran and Reformed. It was witnessed by Henry King, John Wehler and George Trostle. It was acknowledged before Jacob Ernest, Esq., on February 27, 1826. The name Presbyterian was frequently given to the German Reformed Church in early days. Since 1826 those who ministered to the Reformed congregation were Revs. Vandersloot, Charles Helfenstein, Daniel Ziegler for twenty-seven years; Jacob Kehm, four years; Jacob Ziegler, eight years, and I. S. Weisz, D. D., twelve years. The last named, in 1885, is pastor of the congregation which numbers 250 members. Rev. A. G. Deininger was pastor of the Lutheran congregation for fifty-one years in succession, and died September 28, 1880, aged eighty-five years, eleven months and twenty-six days. He was succeeded by Rev. D. Sell, who resides in Abbottstown. Lutheran membership, 500 communicants. In 1884 the present church was frescoed, carpeted, chandeliers and new pulpit purchased – all at a cost of $1,100. Four acres of land is church property. ******************************************************************************** Paradise Catholic Church – The land on which this church now stands, was purchased by Frederick Brant, in 1782, and paid for in Continental money, which soon thereafter became worthless. Brant was an economical German, and prospered as a farmer and miller. His large grist mill, which stood by the stream north of the church, however, burned down about 1816, and was never rebuilt. Religious services were held in a hall of the old Brant mansion at an early date, by the Catholic people of the vicinity, and conducted by visiting clergy from Conewago Chapel, near McSherry’s town. Upon the death of Frederick Brant, in 1822, aged seventy-four years, he bequeathed to the Catholic Church, one half of the proceeds of his farm of 260 acres of valuable land, for the education of young men for the priesthood. The present large and commodious church building of an excellent quality of blue and grey sandstone, was erected in 1843, and consecrated with imposing ceremonies. Henry Kuhn and Henry Felix, were the masons. For a time a parochial school was kept in the basement of the church. The auditorium was finely frescoed by experienced workmen, in 1880. A fine pipe organ has been placed to the rear of the room on a gallery, and a well trained choir furnishes the music. ******************************************************************************** Altland’s Meeting House – About three-fourths of a mile east of Bigmount, the German Baptists, or Dunkers, worship in a neatly constructed brick building. It was erected as a union meeting house; any orthodox denominations are allowed to hold religious services. At present, it is used only by the German Baptists, an honest, unassuming and industrious people. Nearly all the members of that denomination are farmers, and are among the well-to-do people of the township. In 1853, they departed from their former custom of conducting religious meeting in the houses and barns of members, and assisted in the erection of this building, familiarly known as “Altland’s Meeting House.” In the year 1880, it was blown down by a high wind storm, but was immediately rebuilt. The preachers who conduct the services in both the English and German languages are Daniel Altland, William Weiley, Hezekiah Cook, John Raffensberger and Emanuel Gochenour. Trustees are Isaac King, Thomas Julius and Cornelius Spangler. This meeting house belongs to the Lower Conewago District, composed of four places of worship, including this one. One is located in Washington township, on the Bermudian Creek; another near Dillsburg, and another in Strinestown.