AREA HISTORY:  Slateville Presbyterian Church, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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SLATEVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH – Page 764

This church is located near what is known as the “old slate quarry,” about one mile from the 
Maryland line, and one mile from the borough of Delta.  It was organized in the year 1849, by a 
few members, who withdrew from the Slate Ridge Church.  James Galbreath and Robert Dinsmore 
were the first ruling elders.  Immediately upon its organization, seventeen more members were 
received, and three additional ruling elders, viz.:  David Mitchell, Joseph D. Wiley and 
Archibald Cooper.  Thus this church began its history with fifty-two members and five ruling 
elders.

The corner stone of the church was laid September 7, 1849, the date of its organization.  The 
building was used for worship in January, 1850, and dedicated June 8, of the same year.  The 
pulpit was for some time supplied by the presbytery of Donegal.  Among the supplies furnished 
by the presbytery was one of its licentiates, Rev. T. M. Crawford, who laborer at intervals in 
the field until the 17th of February, 1851, when the congregation, being so much pleased with 
his services, unanimously elected him as pastor of this church.  Mr. Crawford faithfully served 
this congregation for twenty-one years.  Under his ministrations it rapidly grew and prospered.  
In the year 1872, owing to failing health, Mr. Crawford was compelled to relinquish the charge 
very much to the regret of the congregation.  Happily he preferred to reside within the bounds 
of this congregation, and he may be seen every Sabbath day, when not called away, sitting in 
the pulpit and engaging in the service of Christian worship.  Rev. D. M. Davenport, was called 
as pastor of this congregation on the second Monday of May, 1873.  In 1868 the congregation 
finding their first church too small built a new one at a cost of nearly $7,000.  This building 
was renovated and improved in 1884.

The present membership is about 200, with seven ruling elders as follows:  James S. Powell, 
George A. Davis, Hugh M. Stokes, William James Barnett, J. W. Hickman, M. D., William R. 
Galbreath and Samuel P. Caskey.  The congregation owns a parsonage and five acres of land, 
which is beautifully located about two miles from the church.