Christiana United Methodist Church
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February 7, 2012




Photograph taken from a post card dated September 18, 1908

PASTORS OF CHRISTIANA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

1851 - W. L. Gray, J. J. Jones                            1904 - J. S. Kingsley
1852 - S. G. Hare, F. R. Harvey                         1906 - A. L. Shalkop
1853 - S. G. Hare, J. G. O'Neill                          1909 - T. I. Minker
1854 - T. Newman, J. L. Killgore                        1914 - William May
1855 - T. Newman, A. Howard                           1916 - G. S. Kerr
1856 - J. B. Dennison                                        1920 - William H. Robinson
1858 - J. Cummins                                             1922 - J. H. Royer
1859 - J. Cummins, N. B. Durell                         1927 - H. D. Bare
1860 - W. H. Burrell                                            1929 - W. E. Verity
1862 - J. Dare                                                     1931 - W. A. Lewis
1863 - H. B. Mauger, R. Jones                           1933 - C. E. Boraston
1864 - H. B. Mauger, W. Cauffman                    1939 - J. L. Carr
1865 - Valentine Gray, W. C. Johnson               1942 - Oliver J. Friedel
1866 - Valentine Gray, L. B. Hoffman                 1944 - Rollin M. Lawrence
1867 - S. Pancoast, J. D. Rigg                           1947 - Philip E. Worth
1868 - S. Pancoast                                             1949 - E. A. Lindenmuth
1869 - J. Aspril, J. W. Wright                              1952 - H. Barton Keck
1870 - J. Aspril                                                   1956 - Donald Watson
1872 - W. W. McMichael                                    1965 - Warren C. Riedel
1873 - I. R. Merrill                                              1969 - W Brown
1874 - E. Potts, F. B. Harvey                             1974 - J. Nesbitt
1876 - I. M. Gable                                              1979 - H. Kaufhold
1878 - W. P. Howell                                            1984 - Jeff Stafford
1879 - D. H. Shields                                           1990 - Josiah Werner   
1880 - E. C. Yerkes                                            1995 - Gary M. Jacabella 
1883 - L. D. McClintock                                      2004 - Randy Smith
1884 - J. Wharton Bradley                                 2006 - Alan T. Sumerfield Sr.
1887 - C. Lee Gaul                                             2011 - Elaine Miller Bortman
1891 - George Alcorn
1892 - C. S. Mervine
1895 - George Mack
1897 - J. S. McKinlay
1899 - John Priest
1902 - Thomas Tremlet Martin




Taken from the written record of the church titled "Comprehensive Church Record of the Methodist Episcopal Church on Georgetown and Gap Circut 1881." Historical Record.  KEY - (?) indicates unreadable text.  (sp) indicates best guess spelling. 

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Georgetown - A society of the Methodist Episcopal Church was in existence at Georgetown as early as 1830 and services were regularly held at private residences.

Among the first active members were George Rockey, Solomon Homar, Adam Hess who was the Class leader.

At a meeting of the (?) Conference held at Columbia Nov. 24, 1832 for Strasburg and Columbia Circuit Christopher Mosler (sp), Sol. Homar and Chas. Bender were appointed a Committee to estimate the expense of building a house of worship on James Caldwell's land near Gerogetown.

They proceeded to erect the Church which was completed and dedicated in 1833. It was a stone structure with a seating capacity of 240.

The dedication services were performed by Thomas Miller who was preacher in charge. It was named Salem Methodist Episcopal Ch. They made a grave yard on this Church lot.

The house continued in use until 1876 where it was taken down and the present Church edifice was erected on its site. This is a frame building 45 by 65 feet including two convenient class rooms. It cost about $4000.00. This society has always been a circut appointment. The circuits to which it has belonged have been altered from time to time as changing circumstances have required.

In 1830 it was under the charge of Strasburg circuit and the circuit preachers were David Best and ?.

In 1831-32 it was included in Strasburg and Columbia Circuit and the Circuit preachers were Thomas Miller, Eliphaleb (sp) Reed, Richard Thomas, Ross (sp) E Morrison, John E Edwards. In 1833 it was connected with Soudersburg Circuit and the Circuit preachers were Thomas Miller and Thom' Ryder. Ministers have since served this society - viz: John Ledrum (sp), R.E. Morrison, John Edwards, J.A. Watson, R Anderson, Dallas D Lord (sp), E R Williams, G Oram (sp), Valentine Cray (sp), Jonas Bissey, Sam'l Grace (sp), C.D. Carrow, Henry Sutton, Allen John, Tom Rink, J B Dennison, Chas. Karsner, C W Lepbrand (sp), W W McMichael, B T Shing (sp), J C Wood, Alex Wiggins, J. April, W'm Downey, J Arthor, J A Cooper (sp), E.C. Yerkes, L D McClintock.

This history is taken from history of Lancaster Co. and was prepared by Rev. L. D. McClintock.

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 Since his pastorate which lasted for one year the church has had as pastors J.W. Bradley, C, Lee Gaul, and G. Alcorn.


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GAP - This society formally worshiped Asbury M.E. Ch?? in Sadsbury but is removed to Gap in 1873. 

The trustees purchased in 1872 a lot of ground from George H Rutter for $650.00 on which to erect a church building.

A building committee was appointed consisting of B.P. Livingston, W. Robinson, Sam'l R Linville and S. O. Linville.

They rented Gap Hall out ?? Pastor Rev. J. R. Merrill commenced regular preaching there in April 1873.  They proceeded to erect the house of worship which was completed and dedicated Feb 6, 1876.  The church is a frame structure 35 by 65 feet with basement story.  This is of modern architecture with stained glass windows and a tower, it cost $ 52.00.

This society was connected with Georgetown Methodist Episcopal Church consituting Georgetown & Gap circut in 1873.  It was in Susquehanna District with Rev. J. R. Merrill preacher followed by Rev's Wm Douney(sp), A.J. Amthor(sp), J.A. Cooper (sp), E.C. Yerkes, L.D. McClintock.

This history was taken from the history of Lancaster Co which contains histories of all Churches in the Co.

It was prepared by Red. L. D. McClintock.  Since his pastorate which lasted but one year, the Church has had as pastors. J.W. Bradley, C. Lee Gaul, and G. Aleorn 

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Christiana - The Methodist organized a class in Christiana in July 1851 with A.M. Kemble (sp) for its leader.

They held public meetings in the carriage shop next to the old tavern and private houses.

They purchased the old school house for a place of worship & instituted regular preaching.  The Society became more permanently organized under the administration of Rev. John Cummins in 1859 by the appointment of a board of Trustees of the following persons: John Beatty, Alex. Robinson, Thomas H. Pounall, George McNeal, Martin Thompson, John Celork, B.W. Horton. (sp)

The same year they purchased a lot of ground from Sam'l Slokum Esq 65 by 160 ft.  A building committee was appointed viz, A. M. Kemble,  (?) Bush, James Devine.

They proceeded to erect a Church ediface.  Cost of the church was in all $ 2700.00  - Lot $ 175.00.

The cornerstone was laid with appropriate ceremonies Sep. 8, 1859 by Bp(sp): Levi Scott -

After considerable delay the building was so far advanced they commenced to worship in the basement in 1861.  The entire building was completed and dedicated Aug. 10, 1862.

It was included in Cochranville Circut until 1867 when it became an ?? on Penningtonville Circuit.

It continued in this connection until 1876 when the circuit was again changed and it became an ?? on Atglen circuit.

It remained in this relation until 1879 when it was associated with Georgetown ?? in which relation it still continues.  During C. Lee Gaul's administration a parsonage was purchased by the Christiana Ch.

The old church was torn away in the spring of 1901 and a new one was build upon the same site during the pastorate of John Priest.  The new church was dedicated in March 1902.  In the year 1925 during the pastorate of Rev J. H. Royer improvements were made upon the church consisting of new concrete steps, painting exterior, copper gutters, a door & concrete steps in rear of church, doors in social rooms, etc. at a cost of $ 1100.00  Old Home Week was held and the entire amount raised.


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Christiana Charter

Whereas Bushrod W. Horton, A. M. Kemble, J. Devine, H. Hollis, Wm Hollis, Ritner (sp) Allen, Martin Wilson, Geo. McNeal & Frederick Bush have with other citizens associated themselves together for the purpose of worshiping Almighty God according to the faith & discipline of the General Methodist Episcopal church &c. declare the following to be the objects, articles, and conditions &c.

Sec 1 Name "The Methodist Episcopal Church of Christiana" &c.

Sec. 2. The business of the Society shall be conducted by nine trustees who shall chose from their members a President & Sec. & may appoint a Treasurer &c.

Trustees Election As follows "The minister who has pastoral charge of same church & congregation, shall meet with the trustees (1st Monday of March) and nominate three or more persons to fill the places of those whose term of office has expired & the said trustees so assembled shall ballot for & by a majority of votes elect three persons so nominated to fill such places in order to keep up the number of nine trustees forever & in case of an equal number of votes for & against any of said nominees, the Pastor shall have the casting vote.  In case of a vacancy by death or otherwise the remaining trustees shall appoint a person to supply the same till the next election.  Provided no person shall be eligible as trustee unless a citizen of the Commonwealth, a communicant member of the church of at least two years full standing and over 23 years of age"

Sec. 3.  The Trustees shall have power to enact & enforce bylaws &c. but shall not dispose of Real Estate &c without consent of majority of Male members meeting.

Sec. 4.  The Trustees shall make an annual Exhibit of the financial affairs in the Month of December to a male members meeting.

Sec 5.  In case no election is held at appointed time (1st Monday in March) the Trustees shall appoint another day, of which due notice shall be given to all parties concerned.

Sec. 6  What the object & purpose of the said society shall be the worshiping of Almighty God &c in conformity with the rules & principals of the General Methodist Episcopal Church &c as they now are, or may hereafter be established an exist. &c.

And now Feby. 25 1862 Charter presented by JB Livingston by direct publication &c.

And now Apl. 28, 1862 the court directs &c the Charter of Incorporation of "The Methodist Episcopal Church of Christiana" &c&c.


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Deed of Lot of Parsonage Christiana

Samuel Slokom for & in consideration of $ 180. Do &c to Wm M. Stevenson &c.  All that lot bounded as follows.  Beginning at a post a corner of Jas B. Kennedy's land on the N. side of Slokom Avenue thence along the N. side of Said Avenue S. 85(degrees) 55' W. 60 feet to a post, thence along Slokom's property N 1 (degree)55 hundredths W. 145. ft to a post and N. 85 (degrees) 55' E.  60 feet to a post, a corner of Jas B. Kennedy's land thence along said land S. 1 (degree) 55' E 145 ft to the beginning  containing 8700 Sq ft of land, together with the free privilege & right  of traveling on the said 30 feet Slokom Avenue on the south of said lot in common with the other owners of lost along said avenue forever.



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Monument - The Monument Church does not belong to Methodism nor to any ism but has been used by the Methodists for more then a year up to this date. March 4, 1892.

Methodist services were introduced here during the administration of Rev. C. Lee Gaul.

An all day meeting was held in the woods connected with the church and revival services were held in the Church

Several persons professed conversion joined in probation and some of them have since been received into full membership.

Preaching services have been held twice a month and part of the year a Sunday School has been maintained.

Faithful service has been performed here by the local preacher ?? C. E. Quigley.

The Society has suffered for lack of leadership it being without a Class leader and Steward for some time.








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