AREA HISTORY:  Rossville Churches, 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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CHURCHES – Page 667

The Union Church of the Lutheran and Reformed, and other denominations near 
Rossville, was built in 1819.  It was dedicated on the 11th of June, 1820.  The 
officiating clergymen were J. G. Schmucker, D.D., J. McKnight, D.D., and Rev. Ebach.

A few years ago the old building was removed.


The Lutheran Church – The Lutheran and Reformed congregations worshiped in the Union 
Church, standing at the road leading from York to Carlisle, about one mile from 
Rossville.  The Lutheran numbering then about 200, thought it would be to their 
advantage if they had a building of their own.  A meeting was called by Rev. James 
Harkey, some time in 1848, when it was agreed to build a church.  A building 
committee was chosen, which consisted of the following:  Messrs. D. Hobaugh, T. T. 
Gardner, W. Bushy, J. Bushy and J. Drawbaugh.  Mr. Gardner donated the Lutheran 
congregation one acre of ground to build the church.  The work of building began in 
the summer of 1849, the corner-stone was laid September 29, 1849, by Rev. James 
Harkey, assisted by Revs. Keller and S. Harkey, from Fredericksburg, and was 
dedicated in the winter of the same year.  The following ministers have been elected 
as regular pastors:  James Harkey, J. P. Focht, A. Finfrock, D. Sell, J. K. Bricker, 
S. Dasher, H. Seifert, J. F. Dietrich, E. Minter, A. Stump and A. B. Erhard.  For 
1885 the elders are A. Bentz, D. Hobaugh, A. B. Elecker, T. T. Gardner, J. Ritter, 
J. Weirman, G. Seifort; deacons, A. B. Elecker, J. Moody, A. Bentz, H. J. Gardner, 
J. Wierman, W. McClellan and N. H. Spangler.  Church membership, eighty-seven.  
Sunday-school scholars enrolled, ninety-five.  Names of superintendents, T. T. 
Gardner, A. B. Elecker (deceased), W. McClellan.


The Reformed Church near Rossville was built in 1869, at a cost of $1,600.  James 
Comfort and John Spangler were the building committee.  The preachers who officiated 
here since 1869 have been Aaron Spangler, Aaron Leisse, A. Wanner, D.D. and G. H. 
Derr.  The membership is about thirty.  L. Spangler was for many years 
superintendent of the Sunday-school.  David Witmer succeeded him.