AREA HISTORY:  Union Evangelical Lutheran 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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UNION EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH – Page 539

This church is located in the western part of York, on the south side of Market Street.  As that portion of town began to grow rapidly, the 
members of the Lutheran Church desired a place of worship west of the Codorus.  February 12, 1859, a meeting was held in the schoolhouse on 
the corner of King and Market Streets for the purpose of effecting an organization;  John Weyer, Joseph Smyser, Adam Smyser, Christian 
Bender, Jacob Herman and Jacob Kessler were elected elders, and John Kraber and George Leitner, deacons; Rev. C. J. Deininger, of York, 
presided.  A charter was granted March 12, 1859.  A lot was purchased for $1,000; W. M. Weiser contracted to build the church for $5,636.  
On Ascension Day, June 2, 1859, the corner-stone was laid, when all the protestant clergymen of York were present.  In February, 1860, Rev. 
J. H. Menges was elected pastor, and the church was dedicated the same month.  Revs. Kurts, McCron, Lochman, Oswald, Lilly, Menges and 
S. Oswald were present.  The cost of the church and lot was $8,007; nearly the entire amount was paid by the time of the dedication.  Rev. J. H. 
Menges entered upon his duties as pastor with forty-five members.  In the year 1870 the building was repaired and the audience room frescoed 
at a cost of $4,062.  In 1880 an infant Sunday-school room was build to the rear of the lecture room, at a cost of $1,200.  In 1882 the audience 
room was again frescoed and a new pipe organ purchased, all at a cost of $1,900.  Rev. J. H. Menges continued his pastorate until August 15, 
1874.  His successor was Rev. M. J. Alleman, who began his labors November 1, 1874, and served the congregation two years.  The present 
pastor, Rev. A. G. Fastnacht, entered upon his duties February 1, 1877.  The membership now numbers 380, and the Sunday-school has 386 
pupils and teachers.  During the past year this church contributed for local and beneficial purposes $3,180.  The parsonage adjoins the church.