Victorious “Old York”

 

In the month of August, 1845, there was a camp meeting held on the land of Jacob Gohn, near Margaretta Furnace, Pennsylvania on the old “York Circuit,” that was signally victorious.  At this camp there were 43 tents, many of them occupied by two or more families.  Immense crowds were present, and good order prevailed.  The first sermon preached was from the text, “Come, for all things are now ready.”  At the first invitation seven penitents came to the altar.  The meeting grew in power with every service.  At one time forty penitents came forward.  The meeting continued seven days and resulted in one hundred and ten conversions.  Most of these were heads of families.

From:  Flashlights on Evangelical History by Rev. A. Stapleton, A.M., M.S., D.D.

                Published by the author, York, Penna. 1908  2nd edition,  Pg. 21-22

 

Present records indicate that services were being conducted, in what was called the Millersville church, as early as 1845.  At that time it was being served by the pastor of the Shrewsbury circuit.  Later, both Mt. Pisgah and the Millersville churches were a part of the old York circuit.  Later the name was changed to Yorkana.  In 1885 the annual conference voted to establish a new circuit, namely, the Millersville Charge, and its first pastor was Edward Crumbling.

 

At the time of the organization of the circuit, Millersville (Yorkana) had a membership of 108 members, and the Mt. Pisgah membership totaled 20 members.  There were then two Sunday schools with 29 officers and approximately 200 members.  B.F. Beard was the superintendent of the Millersville (Yorkana) school and J. Keller of the Mt. Pisgah school.

 

On January 14, 1893, the Yorkana church was destroyed by fire.  (Note:  This church was located across the road in what is now the cemetery area)   Due to a lapse in the insurance policy, the fire caused a total loss with the exception of a few books and records.  On May 21, 1893, the cornerstone of the present church was laid on a site across the highway from the old location.  (Note:  This building was located in the corner of the property just south of the parsonage)  Dedication services were held on August 21, 1893, with Bishop Haman officiating.  The entire cost was $4,700. all of which was provided for by cash and subscriptions. 

From:      History of Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical Church by J.D. Shortess and A.D. Gramley

                Published by Evangelical Press, Harrisburg, PA  1940

 

That church building served the people of Christ Church well until the 1950’s when it was no longer adequate for the needs of the congregation.  Meetings concerning this need began as early as 1954.  On April 3, 1960 ground breaking services were held, and on Easter Sunday, April 2, 1961, Christ Church dedicated their new church building.  (Note: This is the building we are currently in)  The debt on the original building was paid off in 1974.

 

On July 13, 1985, a ground breaking service was held for a new addition to the Christ Church building.  This would include a fellowship hall, kitchen, rest rooms, church offices and some renovations to the sanctuary.  Sunday, April 27, 1986 was the Dedication Service for this improvement to our church building.  This brings us up to date as far as the building which is Christ Church.  In July of 1988, Christ Church became a station appointment (one pastor serving one church) after 103 years of being a charge (one pastor serving several churches) with Mt. Pisgah. 

 

Christ Church has a history rich in commitment to Christ.  As we move forward with new ventures, we pray that we will be the church God calls us to be.