(May 10, 1903) Although the weather was very unpleasant, with rain all day, yet the spirit of the people was not dampened and the day still shines brightly in the minds of those present.

By 1853 there was an organized class. David Gingrich, George Reider and Samuel Geyer, trustees for the Elizabethtown class, by deed dated May 28, 1853, came into possession of a plot of ground fronting 196 feet on the Manheim Road and extending sixty feet along an alley, with a meeting house erected thereon.

A brick structure, about thirty by forty feet in size, had been built by the Church of God in 1843. The said congregation, however, had not received a deed from the owner of the lot, so he sold the church and lot to the United Brethren — the sale price was $700.00. After some changes had been made, the edifice was dedicated by its new owners.

During the next eight years live issues such as: the language question - use of German or English; "factory-made" preachers; the influence of George Hoffman and his followers who formed the Hoffmanites or United Christian denomination; these and other circumstances had so reduced the membership that the brethren at Elizabethtown wanted to abandon their work.

It was Dr. I. H. Albright, the pastor, (1879-82) who instead of heeding the wishes of the Elizabethtown church representatives at the session of quarterly conference, suggested to "hold on another year". Faithful pastoral work and reorganization of the Sunday School marked the beginning of a turning tide of progress.

In 1887 the sum of $700 was spent on repairs and improvements. William Behney and the ladies of the congregation led by Mrs. Kate Hoffman, Mrs. Harriet Brown and Mrs. Samuel K. Barnes did noble service in securing funds to meet the cost of improvements.

Isaiah Baltzell, presiding elder, assisted by the pastor S. R. Gipple (1886-1888) held rededicatory services.

A Ladies Aid was organized in April 1888 with a membership of six- teen women and eight men. Mrs. Kate Hoffman was the first president. The following is the Preamble to their constitution:

Believing that woman was created to be a help-meet for man; that woman was recognized by Christ in his life work and bore an active and important part in establishing his church and religion. And that still much may be done by her in pushing forward the kingdom as established by Christ, to a happy consummation, we subscribe our names to the following resolution and rules. ” Rule IV Article 2 reads: Any gentleman of good moral standing and paying the necessary amount may become an advisory member of this society.

The dues were ten cents per month but Mrs. William Baney and the pastor, Rev. H. D. Lehman (1888-91) each paid twenty cents. Bonnets and aprons were made and sold, as well as quilts and comforts, soaps and cakes.

Prior to 1900 it was not unusual for "cake money" to go for the preacher's "back salary".

These were lean years and the U. B. group was considered the poorest congregation in town. Often they were told they would "be sold by the sheriff".

But membership in the Ladies Aid grew and these good women went out even though nothing was known about high boots into rain, snow and sun to sell molasses cakes and doughnuts at 10¢ a dozen.

With a balance of only $3.70 in the treasury the ladies realized $56.77 from a chicken corn soup supper which they held on June 14, 1895.

By 1901 Rev. H. H. Miller (1899-1907) began to solicit funds for a new church and on Nov. 27, 1901 the Ladies Aid had a total monthly offering of $108.36.

The next year definite steps were taken to erect a new building on the site of the old. Secretary’s minutes for Sept. 7, 1902 read; "This evening the announcement was made that in two weeks a vote would be taken to ascertain the pleasure of the people to have the church incorporated."

Later minutes read: "On Sept. 21 it was unanimously agreed that the Building Committee should apply for a charter". Building operations began in March 1903. The women continued to sell doughnuts (fat cakes). So many were sold that jestingly the townsfolk said, "That U. B. church will never stand for the foundation is built on fat cakes".

Although the weather was very unpleasant, with rain all day, yet the spirit of the people was not dampened and the day still shines brightly in the minds of those present.

The Board of Trustees at the time consisted of

Bro. David H. Myers, Pres.;
Bro. D. B. Shirk, Treas.;
Bro. J. H. Stern, Sec. and
Bro. Benjamin L. Geyer and
Dr. George R. Kersey.

The project cost approximately $12, 000 and on June 28, 1908 there was held a public burning of all papers of indebtedness.

On Oct. 13, 1908 a Parsonage Board was organized with

D. H. Myers, Pres.;
J. H. Stern, Sec.;
Dr. Geo. Kersey, Treas.;
B. G. Lehn and
B. L. Geyer.

In 1909 a house adjoining the church property was purchased for $3, 100 from the Executors of the David B. Shirk estate.

Bro. Shirk was formerly janitor and treasurer of the Trustee Board until 1904. (His personal philosophy is evident in his statement, so often quoted at meetings when the board discussed the advisability of buying or building with small funds, "I can’t see it, I can’t see it, brethren. I won’t vote against it but I won't vote for it!")

This property bought from the Shirk Executors was remodeled and made desirable for a pastor’s residence. Today this building is our Parish House and each Sunday provides quarters for approximately 100 Sunday children under three years of age with Mrs. Arthur Spickler, Miss Fannie Diffendorfer and Mrs. Paul Herr in charge.

From September to June one of the three First Grades of our public school meets in this Parish House.

Quoting from the secretary’s minutes of March, 1912: "It was agreed to hold special subscription day on Sunday, March 24, 1912, for $500. One-half of this amount to be used for Church Fund and one-half to be used for Parsonage Fund" and the minutes for March 6, 1913 state, "By common consent it was agreed to allow the S. S. to equip the basement for S. S. purposes".

Later during the pastorate of I. N. Seldomridge (1913-20) a Moller Pipe Organ was bought and installed at a cost of $1800.

Application was made to Carnegie Foundation to pay one-half of cost. They agreed after a satisfactory financial statement was made. The church members paid the other half. Since this was during World War I, it was no easy task for the people to gather $900 extra.

Also a basement under the main building was dug deeper and made suitable for a dining room and social meetings.

Rev. Seldomridge, who is now retired and living in Lancaster, recently said: "I was on my knees when the Armistice was declared on Nov. 11 at 11 o’clock, 1918, really in a prayerful position, but actually tacking down carpet on the Sunday School steps."

This room today is used for class meetings, Women’s Society of World Service, receptions, etc., and each Sabbath approximately 70 boys and girls from our Junior Department - Ages 9-12 - meet here for Sunday School with Mrs. Glenn Bickel as superintendent.

The next step in our progress was the erection of a Sunday School Chapel. A structure of brick, 49 by 73 feet in size, was added to the church proper. Plans and specifications were drawn by H. H. Aungst, architect, for which he was paid $600.

These plans and specifications were given out for Loids and Hoffer Brothers' bid of $27,171 was accepted. It was the only bid Received.

On July 6, 1924 a vote of the congregation was taken to obtain the sentiment on the building project and resulted as follows: 149 votes favorable and 20 votes opposed. The committee who planned and supervised this project in conjunction with the pastor, Dr. Joseph Daugherty (1923-29) were B.. G. Lehn, Pres.; J. H. Stern, Sec.; B. L. Geyer, Treas.; D. H. Myers and I. H. Shoop.

The cornerstone was laid October 5, 1924 by Conference Superintendent, Dr. S. C. Enck and on April 5, 1925 Bishop William M. Bell dedicated the chapel. A great host of people came to the services of the day, pastors representing various denominations were present in the afternoon. Evening services were held during the following week.

The speakers for the six nights, in order, were:

H. M. Miller and
I. N. Seldomridge, both former pastors; and
H. E. Schaeffer,
D. E. Long,
P. B. Gibble and
0. T. Ehrhart.

The erection of this chapel marked the beginning of a rapid growth in Sunday School attendance. From 1924-31, a period of 7 years, there was a growth in average attendance from 249 to 402. This is - a gain of 153 in average attendance.

Mr. Jacob H. Stern who served as our S. S. superintendent from 1897-1941 has seen our Sunday School grow from an average attendance of 40 in 1897 to an average attendance of nearly 600 in 1952. This is almost 15 times larger in half a century.

The basement which was planned "to house the children’s division" is now crowded with the 3 to 8 year olds under the supervision of Mrs. Robert Trimble and Mrs. William Lawton.

The gallery which was to provide room for nine classes now cares for eleven classes.

Following Mr. Stern at the Sunday School helm were Levi C. Hershey, J. Marlin Kaylor and Robert Trimble who is our present superintendent. Would it not be a proper time to stop and praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Producing this numerical growth was a vital spiritual growth. Although prior to 1922 it was not unusual to find 30-40 women and about 5- 6 men attending Revival Services yet in the year 1923, under the leadership of Dr. Joseph Dougherty, the Lord sent a gracious revival resulting in more than 100 converts.

During the years following several young men decided to prepare for the ministry, three of whom were ordained while members of the Elizabethtown Church.

• Rev. Harold S. Peiffer, now pastor of Lancaster Covenant,
• Dr. Harold C. Hollingsworth, pastor of Palmyra First and a son of a former pastor,
• Rev. Chester C. Hollingsworth (1929-42) and
• Rev. James S. Kiefer, Superintendent of the German Division of the Child Evangelism Fellowship.

The late Benjamin Shaeffer was a local lay pastor of St. Paul’s Church. At the present time Rev. Robert Longenecker and his wife, the former Elaine Frey, also a member of St. Paul’s, are attending Bonebrake Theological Seminary in preparation for full time service to Christ and His Church.

In 1942 Paul E. Fridinger came to Elizabethtown and under his administration the congregation continued its forward march. On October 28, 1947 the Church Council instructed the Trustees to proceed to take over the Real Estate bought for $7, 500. from a Mr. Gunning at 154 E. High Street for a future parsonage and to suggest plans to the Church Council for financing the project. The trustees:

• Simon G. Bishop, Pres,;
• L. C. Hershey, V, Pres.;
• J. H. Stern, Sec.;
• I. E. Shoop, Treas.; and
• H. H. Lehn

promoted this project in cooperation with the pastor, Rev. Fridinger and the financing of this building program was entirely independent of the General Building Fund.

The parsonage was dedicated on Sunday morning May 14, 1949 after the worship service with Dr. D. E. Young, the conference superintendent, in charge.

On May 15, 1950, on motion of L. C, Hershey and seconded by H. H. Lehn, it was agreed to have the charter of our church amended to read "St. Nissley with Miss Edith Herr at the organ". The Chancel and Choral Choirs under the direction of Mrs. William Boyer with Miss Elizabeth Martin at the organ. Mr. Kenneth Ebersole and Mrs. Dorothy DeVerter are assistants to Mrs. Boyer,

Very recently a small boy was heard to say: "Those U. B's. have something going on all the time". Perchance he was one of the 215 at the Father-Son Banquet or heard about the 233 present at the Mother-Daughter Banquet. Certainly Dr. Albright was right when in 1879 he advised the brethren at Elizabethtown to "hold on for another year".

As early as March 1943, Mr. I. E. Shoop, Treasurer, presented a statement of future church plans to raise money for a Building Fund for church enlargement. By October 1, 1949, the face value of our bonds plus money on hand in the Fund amounted to approximately $41, 000. According to the secretary’s minutes for July 6, 1950, "L. C. Hershey recommended that a definite organization be set up in the beginning of 1951 to raise funds after Easter in view of a definite church building program. Seconded by H. H. Lehn the motion carried. On motion of Mr. Hershey and seconded by I. E. Shoop it was agreed to recommend that the people be encouraged to continue their monthly contributions to the Building Fund as we are looking forward to a definite program in the not too distant future."

Our present assets are $72,725. 00 and it is our sincere desire to raise this amount to $100, 000 by the time we are 100 years old. You have elected the following members to the Trustee Board:

• Phares Risser, Pres.;
• Samuel R. Jones, V. Pres.;
• Ralph E. Coleman, Sec,;
• I, E. Shoop, Treas.;
• L. C. Hershey,
• J. Marlin Kaylor,
• J. H. Stern,
• Dr. T. M. Thompson and Howard Zarfoss.

These men, with our pastor, represent us in making plans so that each tomorrow will find us farther than today. With prayers for each other on our lips and with love, hope and faith in our hearts for God through Christ, we are confident that St. Paul’s Evangelical United Brethren Church at Elizabethtown will experience continued growth in the years ahead.

Prior to 1867, St. Paul’s church was affiliated with Lancaster Circuit. The circuit changes and pastoral appointees from that year onward are as follows:

The Church Council wishes to express its appreciation in this way to all who wrought in the past and who, through their sacrifices, made possible our century of progress as a church; and also to those who through their efforts have helped in any way to make this One Hundredth Anniversary a time of rich fellowship in Christ, and a victorious experience in Christian faith.