AREA HISTORY:  St. John’s Episcopal Church, 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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ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH – Page 532

It is impossible to ascertain when the services of the English Church were first 
introduced into York.  When the first regular missionary was sent from England 
by the “Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts,” in 1755, he 
found a congregation of churchmen, duly organized at York, though enjoying no 
regular services.  In May or June, 1755, Rev. Thomas Barton, who had just 
returned from England, whither he went to be ordained, instituted stated 
worship.  No record remains of the place where such services were held.  For 
nearly a decade he was the zealous missionary of the “Venerable Society,” at 
Huntington (York Springs), Carlisle and York, and with large-hearted charity, 
even sought the conversion of the Indians.  His letters to the society are full 
of this truly missionary work among the aborigines of the soil.  To his office 
of priest he added that of soldier, for in the troublesome times, with the 
French and hostile Indians, he organized his people for defense against their 
allied foes; and so much did he distinguish himself in this patriotic service, 
that his conduct was spoken of in a letter from Philadelphia to Mr. Penn, the 
proprietary:  “Mr. Barton deserves the commendation of all lovers of their 
country, for he has put himself at the head of his congregations, and marched 
either by night or by day at every alarm; nor has he done anything in a military 
way but what hath increased his character for piety, and that of a sincerely 
religious man and zealous minister; in short, he is a most worthy, active and 
serviceable pastor and missionary.”  (See chapter entitled “Historical 
Biography,” in this work, page 405.)

Mr. Barton was succeeded as missionary by the Rev. John Andrews, who set about 
at once to secure a church.  In 1765 a subscription was opened and in 1766 “an 
act to of assembly was obtained for a lottery to raise a sum of money sufficient 
to build Episcopal Churches in York and Reading and to pay the debts due on the 
English Episcopal Churches of St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s of Philadelphia.”  By 
this lottery £257 5s. were obtained for York.  Through solicitation on the part 
of the members of the congregation among their friends in Philadelphia and 
Lancaster £150 more were secured.  The Rev. Mr. Andrews also secured £57 which 
in addition to the subscriptions from the congregation furnished sufficient 
funds to complete the church with but a trifling debt remaining unpaid.

The ground was secured through the influence of the Rev. Dr. Peters, who had 
himself subscribed £10.  He applied to the Proprietaries and got a lot of ground 
in York Town – eighty feet front, 250 feet in depth, for the building of said 
church and for burial ground, at the yearly rent of one shilling sterling if 
demanded, and the warrant was granted to Samuel Johnston and Thomas Minshall, 
Esq., and to Mr. Joseph Adlum as trustees of the congregation.”  The church was 
built under the supervision of these gentlemen, but whether in 1766 or 1769 is a 
matter of dispute.  The church records incline to the former, while the tablet 
on the church tower gives the latter.  It is worthy of note that the English 
Church at York was, when erected, one of the only four in the colony of 
Pennsylvania outside of Philadelphia.  It was a small unpretentious brick 
structure situated back from the street, facing the alley and opening thereupon.  
The chancel was at the opposite (northern) end.  The total cost of the church 
was £459.  The Rev. Mr. Andrews resigned his missionary charge of York and 
Cumberland Counties in 1772, and was succeeded by Rev. Daniel Batwell, likewise 
an Englishman.  In 1774, the year of Mr. Batwell’s induction, a bell was 
presented to the church by Queen Caroline, consort of George III, but as there 
was no belfry to the church the bell was hung in the cupola of the Court House 
in Centre Square where it rang out its patriotic summons to the members of the 
Continental Congress when in session in York.  It remained in the Court House 
for half a century, when, upon the demolition of this temple of liberty it was 
recovered by the church and placed in its tower, where it has done faithful 
service ever since.

The Rev. Mr. Batwell was a loyalist, and during the early stages of the 
Revolution so favored his native land and his Tory convictions, that he ceased 
not to pray for his Majesty George III, which so enraged the people that he was 
ducked one night in the neighboring creek and discharged in 1776.  From this 
date until 1782 the church was without the ministrations of a clergyman; but it 
appears from the church records that the congregation was still active, as “in 
1777 a lot of ground was granted by the honorable proprietaries to Robert Jones, 
William Johnston and George Welsh, trustees, for the use of the missionary of 
the said church and for the benefit of the said church, and for no other use or 
purpose whatsoever, as appears by the ticket for the same signed by Samuel 
Johnston, Esq.”

This property was situated immediately opposite the church and had a frontage of 
160 feet and a depth of 250 feet.

In 1784 a letter was received from the Rev. William White, D. D., on behalf of 
the clergy and a special committee of the laity of the Episcopal Church in 
Philadelphia, asking the church wardens and vestrymen to delegate, one of more 
of their body, to assist at a meeting to be held May 24, 1784, for the purpose 
of proposing a plan of ecclesiastical government for the Episcopalians generally 
throughout the United States.  Col. Thomas Hartley, William Baily and William 
Johnston were chosen delegates.

In 1784 Rev. John Campbell succeeded for over twenty years.  Through his 
exertions the rectory was built on the lot opposite the church; and also the 
academy, for the erection of both of which he collected money, principally in 
the cities of Philadelphia, Baltimore and Lancaster.  “Toward the close of his 
rectorship the congregation somewhat declined, through the proselyting efforts 
of the sects.  A large portion was drawn off at the close of the century and 
formed the Presbyterian congregation at the other end of the town.”  He shortly 
afterward – in 1804 – removed to the parish of St. John, Carlisle, where he 
labored very acceptably until his death.

The parish remained without a rector until April, 1810, when the Rev. John 
Armstrong was chosen, and served nine years.  During his ministry the church was 
presented with a handsome brass chandelier (valued at $300) by the members of 
St. Paul’s Parish, Baltimore.  The church property, in 1810, underwent great 
improvement.  A new floor was laid in the church; the chancel removed from the 
north to the west side; the entrance changed from the south to the east end, and 
a gallery erected over the door.  This large expenditure was promply met and the 
records state, “The church is freed from all incumbrance and is in a flourishing 
condition.”

The first Sunday-school in York County was established by Samuel Bacon, Esq., 
August 7, 1817.  Mr. Bacon was a lawyer of prominence in York, and a devout 
member of St. John’s Church.

The Rev. Grandison Aisquith was rector from 1819 to 1821; Rev. George B. 
Schaeffer from 1821 to 1823; Rev. Charles Williams, from 1823 to 1825; under 
Rev. Williams the congregation was enlarged, he was elected principal of 
Baltimore College.  The Rev. Richard Hall next succeeded, and enjoyed great 
popularity for three years.  On Easter day 1829, the Rev. John V. E. Thorn was 
engaged as an occasional supply, after which the parish went very much into 
decay, and membership greatly decreased by death or defection.  In 1834 the Rev. 
Benjamin Hutchins took charge of the parish and served it gratuitously for a 
year and a half, doing much to restore it to its former condition.  The church 
and rectory were improved at the cost of $900, and a handsome set of silver 
communion plate was presented by the rector in charge.

The Rev. Walter E. Franklin, who served two years, became rector in 1836, and 
was succeeded in 1838 by the Rev. Edward Waylen, and English clergyman 
temporarily in America.  The Rev. John H. Marsden was rector from 1841 to 1844, 
and the Rev. John H. Hoffman from 1844 to 1849.  The parish at this time seems 
to have been somewhat weak, as it accepted aid from the Missionary Society of 
Grace Church, Philadelphia, toward the payment of the salary of the Rev. Charles 
West Thomson, who entered upon his duties in 1849, and continued for seventeen 
years, laying firm and solid foundations of future strength and usefulness.  He 
was a native of Philadelphia, and of Quaker parentage.  He possessed gracious 
gifts of mind and heart, such as made him signally successful in the high office 
of a clergyman.  The parish soon began to feel the effect of his wise and 
faithful services.  The attendance so greatly increased that, in 1850, the 
church building was enlarged to more than twice its original capacity.  It was 
still a plain, unpretentious church, with little pretense to architectural 
beauty.

Attracted by Mr. Thomson’s sermonic efforts, as well as by his personal 
character, many of who had been strangers to the church, identified themselves 
with it, and are still among her most loyal members.  So rapidly and 
substantially did the parish increase that, in 1863, it was found necessary to 
make another enlargement of the church.  Transepts were added and a recess 
chancel built, and also a tower.  As a poet also, Mr. Thomson gained deserved 
distinction, and many of his productions have been incorporated in our school 
readers.  All his writings were characterized by beauty of sentiment and 
clearness of thought, clothed in the choicest language.  He resigned in 1866, 
owing to the increasing infirmities of old age, but continued to reside in the 
town.  He died April 17, 18 9, beloved by all and honored by all; and his body 
was interred in Prospect Hill Cemetery.  His wife was Miss Charlotte Prescott, a 
near relative of the historian.  She died June 22, 1880, aged eighty one years.

The Rev. William P. Orrick was called in 1866.  He continued in charge for seven 
years.  During his administration the parish building was erected on the church 
lot, thus giving suitable accommodations for the Sunday-schools and the other 
parochial organizations.

The Rev. Octavius Perinchief was rector from 1873 to 1874.  Mr. Perinchief was 
one of the ablest preachers in the American Church and attracted, wherever 
settle, universal attention.

Rev. Edward L. Stoddard succeeded to the charge of the parish in 1874 and 
remained until 1877, when he gave place to Rev. W. T. Wilson, who served the 
parish from 1877 to 1878.  The Rev. Henry W. Spalding, D. D., assumed charge in 
December, 1878, and continued until 1883.  The Rev. Arthur C. Powell was called 
to the rectorship in June, 1883, and still administers to the parish.

The parish had assumed such proportions in 1883, that it was deemed imperative 
to make a radical enlargement of the church.  This was begun in September of 
that year.  By this, the third improvement, the edifice was signally changed and 
improved, until it is now one of the most beautiful in the country.  A new 
organ, new pews and new chancel furniture were added, so that, while on the 
ancient site, St. John’s is practically a new church, though the original church 
is so incorporated as to leave portions of its walls still standing.

The entire expenditure, including handsome memorial windows, was about $17,000, 
which amount was fully raised by the generosity of the members, and the church 
was presented for consecration to Rt. Rev. M. A. DeWolfe Howe, D. D., LL. D., 
Bishop of the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, on Thursday, April 16, and in the 
presence of a large audience was solemnly set apart for religious worship, 
according to the rites and ritual of the Episcopal Church.  The instrument of 
donation, on this occasion, was read by the Hon. John Gibson, and the article of 
consecration by the rector (to whom we are indebted for this sketch).

St. John’s Parish has arrived at such strength, that it ranks among the largest 
and best parishes in the diocese.