AREA HISTORY:  United Presbyterian Church, Hopewell Township, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH – Page 751

The church of this denomination in Hopewell, was organized about 1800, it is supposed by the 
Rev. Thomas Smith.  The first elders were Alexander Thompson, Alexander Proudfoot and John M. 
McCleary.  Rev. Charles Campbell, the second pastor, died April 7, 1804.  Rev. Josiah Wilson 
became a supply in 1807, was installed pastor January 1, 1808, and died in September, 1812.  
The congregation was served by supplies Revs. Aunan, Weir, McConnell and Graham, until 1823, 
when Rev. Alexander Sharp became pastor.

He was succeeded in 1828 by Rev. Alexander McCahan, who continued until 1832.  His successors 
in order were Revs. Robert Gracey, 1836; James Green, 1837; Alexander Miller, 1838; John Elkin, 
1839.  Buchanan, McElroy, Dick, Pressly, Finkley, Jones, all of whom were supplies except the 
last-named, who was installed pastor August 30, 1843, and resigned in 1847.  Revs. Van Eaton, 
D. D., C. Sharp, D. D. were supplies until Rev. William Carlisle became pastor October, 1848, 
and served until 1856.  Rev. Joseph Boyd served one year.

In 1858 the union was formed by the Associates and Associate Reformed Churches, and Guinston 
and Hopewell were united in one charge and Rev. Francis McBurney took charge of Hopewell for 
one-third of his time.  He resigned, October, 1868, and was followed by Revs. Rait, McCutcheon, 
Young, Carlisle, and Samuel Jamison as supplies.  In April, 1871, Rev. Jamison, the last named 
was chosen pastor in connection with Guinston.  Rev. John Jamison, the present pastor, entered 
upon his duties in October, 1875, giving one-half his time.  Since July, 1885, he has devoted 
his whole time to this congregation.

The first church was built of logs, and in 1843 it was remodeled.  In 1867 the fine brick 
church now owned by the congregation was built.  In 1883 six acres of land were purchased, on 
which the parsonage was built.  The number of members is ninety-three, elders are Jacob Grove, 
James Grove, John T. Grove, and A. Hyson.  A Sunday-school of ninety scholars; James W. Wallace 
is superintendent, and W. N. McAllister, assistant.

A member of the congregation furnished the following interesting facts concerning this church:

“To show the esteem Rev. Thomas Smith was held, in 1823 he sent Rev. Alex Sharp to supply, and 
directed him where to stop.  Arriving at the place a call brought the old gentleman to the 
door; Mr. Sharp addressed him thus:  ‘I have been sent to preach for you.’  ‘What is your 
name?’  Being told:  ‘Who sent you?’  ‘Rev. Thomas Smith.’  ‘If Thomas Smith sent you, come in, 
I do not care how sharp you are.’ ” 

Four young men from this congregation have entered the ministry, one became professor of 
languages in Union College, New York.

“About 1817 the congregation was not supplied very regular; some lukewarm members saw there was 
money in the log building, consequently came to the conclusion to have it sold.  A day was 
appointed, each party on hand, the one quite in the minority.

One old gentleman, who had quite a large supply of Irish blood in his veins, volunteered the 
expression, “Here it is, and here it shall stand to the day of judgment.”  The would-be-sellers 
left without asking for a chairman being appointed.”