AREA HISTORY: Churches of 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. _______________________________________________ CHURCHES – Page 726-727 Emanuel’s Lutheran and Reformed Church, familiarly known as “Frysville church,” is located in the southern part of Windsor, and according to the deed and records, was founded March 28, 1771. The surrounding land was owned by Conrad Fry, an early settler, who on the date mentioned deeded a church lot containing one and a half acres, for 5 shillings, to Jacob Segner, Adam Heindel, Jacob Ruby and Stephen Slifer, in trust for the “Lutheran and Presbyterian congregations.” (At an early date the German Reformed Church was thought to be the same as the Presbyterian, except that the worship of the former was conducted in the German language.) A log church was first built. The spaces between the logs were “chunked,” and had no outside plastering, according to the custom of those times. The gable end and window frames were painted red. The door and inside were painted white. The church was heated by a heavy plated stove, long enough to receive cordwood full length. From the boxed door-sill to the floor inside was a step of unusual height, over which full grown persons could step without much difficulty, while the children delighted to jump from the door-sill down on the floor inside. About 1820 the building was much improved. It was made higher, weather-boarded, an end gallery added, and used until 1852, when the present brick church was built, about three hundred yards from the site of the first building. Some of the land surrounding the present church was used as a burying ground as early as 1745. Some of it was deeded by M. Deis to Simon Anstine, Peter Steffy, Peter Lefever, Peter Schmuck and Conrad Fox, in trust for the two congregations. In 1884 two and one-fourth acres adjoining were purchased from Henry Stein. The church was remodeled in 1884 and was recently rededicated. The names of all Reformed ministers who have served here cannot be given. Revs. Adam Ettinger, C. Becker, Jacob Scholl, Jacob Moyer, H. Habilston, J. Forscht, John Reinika, William F. Vandersloot, William A. Good, David Bossler, R. Smith, E. G. Williams and A. Wanner, D. D. The last named took charge of the congregation April 1, 1882. (The author is under many obligations to Dr. Wanner for the kindly interest he took in collecting material of church history and furnishing it for this book). The Lutheran congregation was served generally by the same pastors who officiated at the church in Lower Windsor. Zion United Brethren Church is located near Springvale. In the absence of records, it is difficult to give exact dates, yet it is known by the oldest members of the church, that as early as 1820 such of the fathers of the denomination as Rev. John Neidig, Christian Newcomer, John Schneider, Samuel Huber, William Brown, John Kroch and others preached in houses and barns of the neighborhood of the above named house of worship. A quarterly conference held in 1843, appointed Adam Stabley, Adam Strayer and Frederick Grove a board of trustees, under whose administration that year was built the first church of the United Brethren in Christ in York County on the lands of Adam Stabley; Rev. John Russell, then presiding elder, dedicated this church, assisted by Rev. Christian Crider, then preacher in charge of the circuit. The present beautiful church was built in 1881; Rev. Geo. W. Lightner was then the preacher in charge. Jonathan Smiech, Jacob Stabley, John Stabley, John Seitz and John Neff were trustees. Rev. J. C. Smith of York officiated when corner-stone was laid. Rev. Ezekiel Light of Lebanon, Penn., dedicated the church. Rev. J. C. Smith of York is present pastor (1885). The pastors before him have been Christian S. Crider, Henry Greenblade, J. S. Wentz, Tobias Crider, W. H. Craumer, J. H. Young, Peter Carl, A. H. Rice, Samuel Enterline, Isaac Coomes, W. B. Raber, Jesse Cline, and L. Kohr. Church membership is seventy-two; number of pupils in Sunday school is seventy- five; superintended by Mr. Cramer. Bethlehem Church – A class was formed in the vicinity where this church is, about the year 1835; services were held in the private houses of the members very frequently in the dwelling of Daniel Oberdorf, Sr., now deceased. The organization was frequently called “Oberdorf’s Class.” Bishop Seymour and Rev. G. Dunlap were among the clergymen who ministered to the spiritual wants of the first members. A church long known a the “stone pile” was built in 1853, and dedicated by Rev. Philip Wagner, P. E., March 16, 1854. Rev. George Dellinger was the preacher. The title given was “The New Bethlehem Evangelical Church of Windsor Township.” John Landis, who subsequently moved to Ohio, gave the land. The trustees then were Daniel Oberdorf, Sr., Joseph Strayer and Aaron Snyder. Revs. Bennington, Wilson, Zulauf, H. A. Stoke, M. J. Carrothers, Z. Hornberger, A. Longsdorf and A. Krause preached in the first building. In 1871, the second church was built, and was dedicated by Rev. Swengel of York. The trustees then were Barnitz Knisley, Samuel Barshinger and Joseph Strayer. The senior pastors who have officiated in the new building have been Revs. Manbeck, H. Conrad, S. Aurand, A. Yearick and H. N. Greninger. The junior pastors have been Revs. A. W. Shenberger, Lilly, Brownmiller, D. Kline, G. Carrothers, H. W. Gross, C. W. Finkbinder, C. H. Goodling, M. J. Snyder and L. E. Crumbling. The class leaders are Benjamin Craley and Daniel Oberdorf. The membership is forty-five. The Sunday-school was organized March 16, 1854, with eight teachers and seventy-four pupils and has been kept up since. Union Church – This church is located near Windsorville. Rev. Charles Stabley of the United Brethren in Christ organized the first class. For many years the preaching was held in the house of Michael Heindel, Sr. In 1853 the present brick church was built, the first trustees were Michael Heindel, Michael Anstine and Jacob Allison. Rev. J. C. Smith, of York, was the pastor in 1885. The previous pastors were the same as at Zion Church. Trustees in 1885 are John Slenker, G. W. Gable and J. Flinchabugh; church membership thirty-five; Sunday school, sixty pupils; G. W. Gable, superintendent. Windsor Bethel – This church is located about a mile north of Windsorville. The congregation that worships here is a part of the “Lower York Mission” of the Church of God, it being the only building on this denomination in the lower end of York County. The sect to which it belongs is an order of Baptists, and originated in Lancaster, Penn. in 1830, under the leadership of Rev. John Winebrenner. For about twenty years preaching in Windsor was held in the house of Daniel Holtzinger and Gotlieb Barley. The first visiting clergyman, Rev. Keller, preached several times and baptized some members. During the early history of this denomination in Windsor, the preaching was supplied by ministers of the West York Circuit from Goldsboro. The church was built in 1876, at a cost of $1,400, and was dedicated by Rev. John Weishampel of Lancaster the same year. The clergymen, who have served since that time are Revs. Stoneseifer, Hackenberger, Hiss, Albert, Long and Still. Samuel E. Herman of Red Lion is the present pastor. The membership is thirty. Locust Grove Church – The Reformed church by this name was built in 1866, at a cost of $1,500; much of material and work were voluntarily contributed by generous persons. The building committee were Daniel Kaltrieder, J. W. Landis and D. Armold. The congregation was organized in 1874 with thirteen members by Rev. R. Rahauser. He was succeeded by Rev. E. G. William. In the spring of 1884, by order of Classis, Rev. A. Wanner, D. D., became the supply. The Sunday- school now kept in the church was organized in 1866 with 125 pupils and teachers. J. W. Landis has for many years been superintendent. The congregation has about thirty members.