History of Shiloh United Church of Christ
IN THE BEGINNING, GOD...
Down through the ages, people were no longer content to have the kings and queens dictate their belief in God. In the old country, people were being persecuted for worshiping God; consequently, when our forefathers came to America, they had the freedom to worship as they pleased.
In Shiloh, West Manchester Township, some of our ancestors chose to worship God as German Reformed and thus they started the congregation which today is known as Shiloh United Church of Christ.
On May 25, 1844, 225 persons contributed money to build a Meeting House to worship God in Shiloh. It was built on the corner of the old Cemetery. This place of worship was used by the German Reformed, the Lutherans, the English Methodists, the Moravians and Mennonites.
In 1881, the Lutheran congregation was organized. According to our records, the German Reformed congregation was not formally organized at this time; however, the German Lutheran and Reformed congregations were deeded land jointly to erect a church building across the main road, Carlisle Road, to be known as Shiloh Union Church. The cornerstone was laid on June 25, 1882, and in May 1883, the church was completed.
The Zion Classis of the Potomac Synod granted permission to the Rev. Israel S. Weisz to organize a congregation on May 21, 1883. The dedication service was on May 27, 1883. There were 21 charter members. The Rev. Doctor Weisz remained with us until his death on January 15, 1894.
All services were conducted in German in the beginning. The people did not speak or understand English. The Meeting House mentioned above was used also to teach adult immigrants the English language. About 1911, the services were converted solely to English.
The Shiloh Evangelical Lutheran and Shiloh Evangelical and Reformed congregations worshiped together in the Shiloh Union Church for 70 years. As was the custom for a Union Church in those days, the Lutherans had their own minister and used their own Service of Worship one week, and the Reformed congregation did likewise the next week. We were governed by a Joint Church Council.
The Shiloh Union Church separated and the action was ratified by both congregations on August 19, 1953. The Shiloh Evangelical and Reformed Congregation laid the cornerstone of our current church on July 18, 1954, and dedication was March 6-13, 1955. The parsonage was built and dedicated May 17, 1959. The cornerstone for the Educational Building was laid June 13, 1971, and was dedicated January 9, 1972. The cornerstone laying and dedication for Phase 3 expansion of the church building was held June 25, 2006.
From the 21 charter members in 1883, our membership has increased to approximately 700 members. In the 125 years, we have been fortunate to have had only ten pastors.
Down through the ages, people were no longer content to have the kings and queens dictate their belief in God. In the old country, people were being persecuted for worshiping God; consequently, when our forefathers came to America, they had the freedom to worship as they pleased.
In Shiloh, West Manchester Township, some of our ancestors chose to worship God as German Reformed and thus they started the congregation which today is known as Shiloh United Church of Christ.
On May 25, 1844, 225 persons contributed money to build a Meeting House to worship God in Shiloh. It was built on the corner of the old Cemetery. This place of worship was used by the German Reformed, the Lutherans, the English Methodists, the Moravians and Mennonites.
In 1881, the Lutheran congregation was organized. According to our records, the German Reformed congregation was not formally organized at this time; however, the German Lutheran and Reformed congregations were deeded land jointly to erect a church building across the main road, Carlisle Road, to be known as Shiloh Union Church. The cornerstone was laid on June 25, 1882, and in May 1883, the church was completed.
The Zion Classis of the Potomac Synod granted permission to the Rev. Israel S. Weisz to organize a congregation on May 21, 1883. The dedication service was on May 27, 1883. There were 21 charter members. The Rev. Doctor Weisz remained with us until his death on January 15, 1894.
All services were conducted in German in the beginning. The people did not speak or understand English. The Meeting House mentioned above was used also to teach adult immigrants the English language. About 1911, the services were converted solely to English.
The Shiloh Evangelical Lutheran and Shiloh Evangelical and Reformed congregations worshiped together in the Shiloh Union Church for 70 years. As was the custom for a Union Church in those days, the Lutherans had their own minister and used their own Service of Worship one week, and the Reformed congregation did likewise the next week. We were governed by a Joint Church Council.
The Shiloh Union Church separated and the action was ratified by both congregations on August 19, 1953. The Shiloh Evangelical and Reformed Congregation laid the cornerstone of our current church on July 18, 1954, and dedication was March 6-13, 1955. The parsonage was built and dedicated May 17, 1959. The cornerstone for the Educational Building was laid June 13, 1971, and was dedicated January 9, 1972. The cornerstone laying and dedication for Phase 3 expansion of the church building was held June 25, 2006.
From the 21 charter members in 1883, our membership has increased to approximately 700 members. In the 125 years, we have been fortunate to have had only ten pastors.
|
Pastors
|
Pastoral Assistants and Associates
|
VISIT UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST WEBSITE AT WWW.UCC.ORG