Included here are the established churches prior to 1915, the year of Hanover's Centennial of Incorporation. Pictures marked with an asterisk (*) are scanned from the:
Official Program of the Centennial of Incorporation of the Borough of Hanover Pennsylvania. September 12, 1915, The Hanover Centennial Committee. E. L. Koller. 1915
Churches are listed chronologically according to the Centennial Program. Pictures of specific buildings may not be the first building in which a congregation worshiped, but is the church building used for worship in 1915.
Additional information has be used with little modification from the OFFICIAL PROGRAM of the BICENTENNIAL of the FOUNDING of HANOVER and the CENTENNIAL of the BATTLE OF HANOVER. Hanover Community Bi-Centennial Corporation. Hanover, PA. 1963 to update this page to that year.
Historical Congregations listed in this Archive
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Original name |
Current Name |
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St. Matthew's Lutheran Church |
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Emmanuel United Church Of Christ |
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First United Methodist Church |
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Lohr's Memorial United Methodist Church |
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Saint Mark Lutheran Church |
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Saint Joseph's Catholic Church |
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Mennonite Church |
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Trinity United Church Of Christ |
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Saint Paul's Lutheran Church (York St.) |
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Saint Paul's Lutheran Church (Broadway) |
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Evangelical Brethren Church |
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Grace United Methodist Church |
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Saint Vincent Catholic Church |
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Grace United Church Of Christ |
congregation established April 14, 1743
Saint Matthew Lutheran Church
30 West Chestnut Street
717-637-7101
in the
Carolyn Clausen Collection
View more
photos
in the
Barbara Chronister Collection
St. Matthew's Lutheran Church was organized in 1743. St. Matthew's had its beginning in 1731 when John Casper Stoever, a Lutheran missionary, first visited the early settlers in and around Hanover. His home was in New Holland, Lancaster Co., making the trip, a distance of sixty miles by horseback, to minister to the Palatine settlers in this area.
The first church was of logs and was located on a plot of ground on Third St. The second house of worship, built in 1756, was located on the south side of Carlisle, off Clearview Road, now marked with a monument.
The third church was
dedicated in 1811 and stands today on a plot of ground presented to the
church by the Jacob Rudisill, whose descendants continue to worship
there today. The spire of this building still stands and was
incorporated as a part of the fourth building which is now used as a
Sunday School building. The steeple, one of the finest Christopher Wren
steeples in the United States today, was built from huge logs hewn from
trees grown in what is now Pennville. (this passage was written in 1963)
Twin bells were hung in the tower, the larger of which bears this inscription "George Hedderly cast us both in Philadelphia in 1808." On the smaller bell are the names of Nicholas Gelwicks and Peter Grumbine. These bells are now installed in the tower of the present church home.
The fourth building was erected in 1878-1879 and the present Church dedicated September 28, 1924. This church has the distinction of having not only one of the largest church organs in the United States but also one of the finest.
In recent years an educational building has been added to this church unit, two ministers have been added to the staff giving to this large congregation the service of three pastors. A new parsonage was built in the Clearview Section, and two additional homes were purchased—for the Minister of Christian Education, located at 340 Frederick St., and the other located at 1027 Savoy St., for the Minister to Youth. The original parsonage on Frederick St. is used for the pastor's office, social meeting rooms and business office.
congregation established 1765
Currently named:
Emmanuel United Church Of Christ
124 Broadway
717-632-8281
When the Reformed people learned of Richard McAllister's intention to found a town, they secured from him ground for a Church, a parsonage, a school house and graveyard. The original deed reads:
"Between Richard McAllister of Heidelberg Township, County of York and Province of Pennsylvania, of the one part, and Ludwig Shriver, Nicholas Kley, Nicholas Fisher, Abraham Hull, John Spitler, Christian Melheim, Conrad Felty, David Newman, George Zacharias, Philip Meyer and Jacob Miller, members of and Trustees for the German Reformed Calvinist congregation in Heidelberg Township according to the confession of Faith made at Heidelberg in the Elector, Palatine, Dominion in Germany, in the 15th century, of the other part."
In 1764—65, steps were taken toward the erection of a church and 104 subscriptions, amounting to 78 pounds, had been secured. On the rear of the lot now known as No. 110 York Street, a log church was erected. From the records, it appears that the building was not yet completed in 1766, though occupied for purposes of worship. It was the first building erected for the worship in McAllistertown, as Hanover was then called.
The second church building was erected in 1798 on the same spot as the original log church. The third church building was dedicated in 1856 on the present sight. The present edifice was dedicated in 1904.
During the pastorate of the Rev. John C. Bow-man, 1882-1890, the first English service of the community was held in Emmanuel Church. Those of the membership desiring the continuing of German language service were urged to form a second Reformed church in Hanover, which they did. That church is now Trinity Reformed, or United Church of Christ, located on York Street.
congregation established 1810
Currently named:
First United Methodist Church
200 Frederick Street
717-637-1574
The first Methodist sermon in Hanover was preached in 1810 by the Rev. James Reed, of the Carlisle Circuit. Thereafter for a time Methodist Services were held in private homes in Hanover. In 1827 the Gettysburg circuit was formed and Hanover was included in its membership. This membership contained four members and they were Seth Forest, Abraham Lament, Sara Lament, and Sara Stewart.
The first church was built on Baltimore St., in 1830, was later sold and became what is now St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church. In 1863 William Wirt gave the church a piece of land on Frederick St. for a new church. An old member, now de- ceased, reported that when the foundation was being dug, the "Blue and Gray" came charging by, during the Battle of Hanover, the workers stopping to watch the troops' passage. This church was dedicated June 11,1865.
In 1917 the brick dwelling next to the church on Frederick St. was bought for use as a parsonage. In 1920 the property next to it was purchased as a site for a future new church. On May 11, 1930, the congregation voted unanimously to build this church and on July 17, 1930, work was begun on moving the brick church and parsonage to their present location, facing Centennial Ave.
The cornerstone was laid Aug. 30, 1931. The old church was remodeled and a porch added in front of the parsonage so that the parsonage and church could communicate. The new and the old were built together so well and the whole exterior covered with Butler stone, so that the dividing line is difficult to locate. This new church was dedicated on April 24, 1932.
In 1962 a new home was purchased for a parsonage located at the corner of West Hanover St. and Forney Av. The old parsonage is now known as the Church House, and is used for Sunday School rooms, meetings of organizations, etc. The new parsonage was consecrated on June 9, 1963.
congregation established 1847
Currently named:
Lohr's
Memorial United Methodist Church
200 East Middle Street
717-637-6270
Martin Lohr, for whom Lohr's Memorial Evangelical United Brethren Church is named, moved to Hanover in the year 1829 and soon thereafter made his home available for preaching by the United Brethren circuit riders. The Lohr home continued to be a United Brethren shrine until 1847, when the first church sanctuary was erected on what was then called Abbottstown St., now Broadway.
In the year 1878 (some say 1879)
fire destroyed the first church and the widow of Martin Lohr, at her own
expense, had a second church home for this congregation constructed on the
same site (left). This structure is still standing at 125 Broadway in a slightly
revised form. (see right, 2004)
Looking to expansion, necessitated by a growing congregation, a lot was purchased in 1902 on the corner of Middle and Locust Sts., Hanover. The first unit of the present group was dedicated April 6, 1913, and was known as the Chapel. In the year 1916. work was begun on the main worship sanctuary and this building was dedicated October 28, 1917. In 1947, the basement to the main sanctuary was excavated and adapted for Sunday School use.
1963
congregation established 1865
Saint Mark Lutheran Church
Currently located:
129 Charles Street
717-637-8904
1915*
Saint Mark's Lutheran Church located on the corner of Carlisle and West Chestnut Streets. This sanctuary held "The Old Town Clock." Miss Doris Baker taught organ and piano to many of the town's youngsters during the 40's and 50's. Date of photo unknown.
It was a month to the day after Abraham Lincoln delivered his immortal address that a meeting was held (on December 19, 1863) to consider the organizing of a new Lutheran Church in Hanover.
St. Mark's, a daughter of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, was founded by individuals who felt the need for a Lutheran Church where services in English rather than German would be conducted. Half a century after Richard McAllister founded McAllistertown, St. Mark's Lutheran Church was dedicated.
The original church stood on the northeast corner of Carlisle and Chestnut streets. The cornerstone of that building was laid on July 20, 1864, and dedicated on the third Sunday in September, 1865. The church was enlarged eighteen years later with the addition of an annex, improvements to the main auditorium and the installation of a pipe organ.
At a Congregational meeting conducted on September 12, 1954, gifts of land were accepted to erect a new church and parsonage located in a new development called Clearview. The first services in the Nave of this church were held on Christmas Eve, 1958.
Installed in the new church tower was the "Baltimore Oriole" bell, a gift to the church from Mr. William Grumbine on December 4, 1883. This bell is now performing the same function of calling the faithful to worship and reminding the neighborhood of their duty to their church and their God on the Sabbath Day, as it did in the old church from the time of its installation.
Also installed in the new church was the four- manual pipe organ, given to St. Mark's during the summer of 1914 by Miss Amelia Eichelberger and Miss Ann Maria Zouck. While in the process of moving, the organ was reconditioned and when installation was completed found to be a valuable instrument with superb tonal qualities.
congregation established 1877
Currently located:
Saint
Joseph's Catholic Church
5125 Grandview Road
717-632-0030
1915*
First begun by Jesuits from Conewago about 1820, Mass was celebrated near the present site about 1822 to 1826.
The first church was the former Methodist Episcopal Church purchased by Father J. B. Cattani in 1864. Father Peter Manns became pastor and made an addition to the church as well as establishing the first parochial school in Hanover. He was succeeded by Father Jamison, who purchased ground for the present church and rectory.
In the fall of 1877, Father F. B. Emig became pastor and despite his advanced age, undertook to build a new church. He laid the cornerstone on September 16, 1877, in the presence of three thousand people. A new school was completed in 1950.
Located on the corner of Broadway and Philadelphia Street.
no phone listed
1915*
On Broadway stands the neat, comfortable Mennonite Church built in 1881 at a cost of $2,500. This church is connected with Bair's Meeting House, Heidelberg Township, and the Hostetter Meeting House, Union Township, Adams County. Passing of time has brought little change to the exterior architecture of these churches, but has increased the missionary zeal of the membership, with the youth of the congregation given an opportunity for advanced training in the Mennonite High School located at Lancaster, Pa., and the Eastern Mennonite College located in Harrisonburg, Va.
Trinity Reformed
congregation established 1883
Currently named:
Trinity
United Church Of Christ
116 York Street
717-637-2233
Trinity Reformed
1883 - 1933
Rev. H. E. Sheely
Trinity United Church of Christ
1940 - 1965
Trinity United Church of Christ (originally Trinity Reformed) had its beginning Dec. 13, 1883, when 125 persons signed a paper indicating their willingness to become charter members. The congregation was formally organized at a meeting held in Emmanuel Reformed Church. The first officers were elected, and arrangements were made to hold services in the old United Brethren Church, Abbottstown St., now Broadway, in the low building which still stands just across the street from Emmanuel Church.
A search for a suitable location for a permanent structure resulted in the purchase of the present site on York St., and building operations were begun early in the spring of 1884. The Chapel was dedicated Oct. 19, 1884, and on Sunday, Nov. 22, 1885, the church was dedicated.
During the years the Chapel was enlarged at least five times, the final enlargement, resulting in the present structure, taking place in 1932. The only exterior alteration of any consequence in the church sanctuary itself occurred in 1915 when, as a result of the vicious storm or tornado, the lofty spire of the church was damaged to such an extent that it had to be torn down and replaced by the present tower.
Editors note: it was behind this church that a cemetery was located in which the killed from the Battle of Hanover were first interred.
This congregation was established 1890 with 38 Charter Members and was known as the Third Lutheran Church.
The name ST. PAUL'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH was adopted in April 1912.
The present church is located at 127 York Street and was dedicated Sept 8, 1935.
Saint Paul's Lutheran Church
127 York St.
717-637-5941
Barbara Chronister Collection
The
Third Lutheran Church was organized December 22, 1890, and in 1912 the name
was changed to St. Paul's Lutheran.
The first church, built in 1893, was located on West Walnut St. The present church on York St. was built in 1935. An addition to the church was begun in late February, 1955, and completed January, 1956. This Educational Building and improvements to existing buildings at a cost of $112,000.00 made this church unit one of the more modern in our community.
This congregation was established 1898 in Penn Township.
Saint Paul's Lutheran Church
1214 BROADWAY
717-637-0511
St. Paul's Church, organized August 28,1898, and incorporated April 30, 1906, was situated in Penn Township. Later when a portion of this township was added to Hanover Borough, extending the borough limits, St. Paul's became one of Hanover's thriving congregations.
When the church was organized, it served a large country constituency. Its present membership is 400. In 1956-7 the church building was renovated and an educational unit added so that today's facilities are quite adequate to serve a growing community.
1915*
1963
congregation established 1899
Currently named:
Evangelical Brethren
Church
925 Broadway
717-637-6827
The Church of the Brethren had its beginning in 1897. The first service was held January 2, 1898, in the old Concert Hall, Center Square. That same year thee erection of a building was started on a plot of ground given by the descendants of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Baer, and located on Fulton St. at Terrace Av. The congregation was formally organized March 9, 1902 with their first resident minister (D. E Baker).
The church grew in membership and from 1940 to 1949 extensive improvements were made to the church edifice. In 1963, the Congregation acquire a tract of land from the Allen Frey farm. Penn Twp., for the purpose of the erection of a new building.
congregation established 1901
Currently named:
Grace United Methodist Church
55 Albright Drive
717-637-3100
1915*
The Central Pennsylvania Conference of the formed United Evangelical Church, authorized the establishment of a mission in Hanover. In 1901 a lot was purchased on the corner of Spring Ave. and Locust St. and the church was built and dedi- cated Feb. 1902. Rev. J. H. Furner was the minister. The church has been enlarged several times during the years.
congregation established 1904
Saint Vincent Catholic Church
220 3rd Street
717-637-4625
Saint Vincent de Paul Church in Midway, Hanover, was dedicated on December 3, 1905. It was completed at a cost of $50,000.00, a gift of Vincent O'Bold, posthumously realized through the good will of his sister, Mrs. Gabriella Smith.
At that time the parish numbered less than 300 souls—in 1915 some 430 and, in 1963, some 2285 parishioners.
congregation established 1906
Currently named:
Grace United Church Of Christ
100 4th
Street
717-632-1146
This church was organized in the public school house in Midway and the congregation worshipped in that building until the first chapel was completed.
Grace United Church of Christ, located at the corner of North Franklin and Fourth Street, was organized July 10, 1906, and the original church was built in 1907. This was a chapel seating 300 people comfortably, built at a cost of $4220. In 1914 an annex was dedicated and a new church was built in 1941. Continued growth in membership and activities made it advisable to add an educational building, and this addition was dedicated in 1953 and in 1963
Originally "Grace Reformed Church" became "Grace Evangelical and Reformed Church" when these two denominations united in 1934; and ''Grace United Church of Christ" when The Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches united in 1957.