Saved church tops York County Top 10 religion story list: Linked in with neat history stuff, Jan. 8, 2012
The battle to save the historic and architecturally significant Trinity United Methodist Church in York headed a list of top York-area religion stories in 2011. York, Pa., Daily Record/Sunday News reporter John Hilton compiled the list. The runnerup? The demise of Angel Food Ministries, provider of low-cost food. Here, the newly merged congregation at Water’s Edge United Methodist Church meet in a Bible study. That church also made the top 10 list. Part of the congregation came from Shenberger’s Chapel, the Chanceford Township church that burned in 2009. To read Hilton’s list, check out: “Top York County religion stories of 2011.” Also of interest: York, Pa., officials often have shown love affair with bulldozer blade.
Neat stuff from all over … .
Rick Greathouse, who is on the lookout for Grothaus family information from its time in York County, provided a followup email. In that first email, he reference historian and professor Charles H. Glatfelter‘s work.
That prompted Yorkblogger June Lloyd to write the following on Facebook:
“We know so much about Pennsylvania German culture and people because of Dr. Glatfelter. I could have never done my thesis/book, Faith and Family, on Pennsylvania German Birth & Baptism Certificates without his two volume Pastors and People on the Lutherans and German Reformed. It was published by the Pennsylvania German Society. Thank you, Charles!”
Which caused me to respond:
“June, absolutely agree. As we’ve discussed, one might think that such a distinguished gentleman – and he is that – would be imposing. But he’s wonderfully and generously accessible. My only regret is that I never had him as a student, although when you read his research, you clearly become such.”
Here’s Rick Greathouse’s most recent email:
“Glatfelter’s work contained more interesting information.
“He covered Reverend John William Weber, pastor of Plainfield Reformed Church, Northampton County, PA and his migration to Westmoreland County, PA.
“The William Greathouse [Jr., born 2 Aug 1748], named in those records moved to Turkeyfoot, Bedford County, PA where he rejoined his father’s family between 1783 and 1785, which coincides with Rev. Weber’s move to Westmoreland County, PA.
“Also there is the interaction between the Muhlenbergs and John Greathouse at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, Germantown and with the Greathouses of Lancaster County, PA. A John Greathouse, parents undetermined, moved to Woodstock, Shenandoah County, VA at about the same time as Rev. John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg accepted the call as pastor for the churches in the area of Woodstock, VA. After Rev./Col. Muhlengberg shed his ministerial robe to reveal his Continental Army colonels uniform and marched his regiment off to SC, the Greathouses of Woodstock started creating records in the churches of Strasburg, VA”
Nice shoutout: WITF’s Phantom Diner referenced yorktownsquare.com in hhis/her January/February restaurant review of Sam & Tony’s restaurant in York. See what he said – about this blog – and Sam & Tony’s.
We have this to look forward to: “Gettysburg road work could bring 150th anniversary mess.”
What’s viticulturist? This story is running on ydr.com: One of Pennsylvania’s best kept secrets? Its wine industry. Under which, I put the link: “York County produced the father of American viticulture, the science dealing with the cultivation of grapes.”
Forum of the day: Exchangers are discussing York County dairies and dairymen.
