CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ST. LUKE’S CHURCH: 1909 - 2009 

On February 20, 1899, a funeral service for Miss Mabel Brown was the first evidence of an Episcopal service held in Mount Joy. After repeated attempts by the Rev. Bert Foster, a mission was started on April 29, 1902. The first service was held in the Mount Joy Opera House on June 26, 1902, and the first communion was held in the home of Mr. Thomas Brown with nine communicants present. The name St. Luke’s was adopted and the old Merchants Hall was leased as a place in which to worship. This was the modest beginning of the church we know today.

In 1906, a charter of incorporation was secured and a building lot was located at the corner of South Market Street and Columbia Avenue. On St. Peter’s Day, June 29, 1908, ground was broken for a building and the cornerstone was laid on September 19, 1908. Holy Communion was celebrated in the new building on Easter Sunday 1909. Bishop Darlington preached the dedicatory at the formal opening the following Thursday.

St. Elizabeth’s Mission in Elizabethtown was started on July 9, 1911 by The Rev. Charles E. Berghaus. Ground was broken for a building in the Autumn of 1927 and Bishop Darlington consecrated the church on March 11, 1928. Nearly twenty-three years later, on January 1, 1951, the mission was closed and the membership transferred to Saint Luke’s in Mount Joy.

At a parish meeting in January 1968, St. Luke’s Vestry was given authority to undertake the construction of a new Sunday School building. This building was dedicated on Sunday, September 29, 1970.

The rectory, a stately stone residence, was constructed in the early 1920’s and was built to compliment the church using the same type of Susquehanna Valley limestone.

The present parishioners still honor the founders of St. Luke’s parish and of St. Elizabeth’s mission by making our church a place of joyful worship, and where we work together for the common good to carry out our mission here in Mount Joy.

EARLY HISTORY: 1902 - 1912

The first service of the church held in Mount Joy was the funeral of Mabel Brown conducted by the Rev. Dr. Bert Foster of Marietta, in Trinity Lutheran Church on Feb. 20, 1899. After this Dr. Foster, assisted by the venerable Archdeacon Radcliffe, and encouraged by the Rt. Rev. Ethelbert Talbot, the Bishop of the diocese, set to work to start an Episcopal mission in our borough. Many discouragements were encountered, but finally a mission was started with evening prayer and a sermon by Dr. Foster on the second Sunday after Ascension, May 11, 1902. The service was held in the town Hall, and was followed by a meeting at which arrangements were made for the holding of services at regular intervals three times a month. The old Mechanics Hall was rented and fitted up, a missionary stipend of $150 was offered and, at a meeting held about St. Luke’s day, it was agreed to honor the memory of the “Beloved Physician” by taking his name for the new mission. During the remainder of Dr. Forster’s pastorate which extended into 1903, two Episcopal visitations were made, at the second of which Bishop Talbot confirmed four persons. A Sunday School was also organized and left by the Rev. Dr. Forster in a flourishing condition at his resignation in September, 1903.

He was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Diggles, who remained as Priest in charge of St. Luke’s from December, 1903 to April, 1906. During Mr. Diggles career eighteen persons were confirmed and the mission was admitted into union with the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania as an organized mission, withy Messrs. Geo. Brown, Adam L. Kolp, Walter G. Brown, Thos. J. Brown and Dr. O.G. Longenecker as the first vestry.

The Rev. Mr. Diggles was succeeded in the work by the Rev. Mr. Joseph Sheeren, who passed eighteen very active months in the community. Under his direction the Vestry was increased to nine, the Mission secured a charter of incorporation as a parish and purchased a lot, four persons were baptized and four confirmed, and the communicant list was raised to forty.

This brings us to an epochal period in the development of the parish. With the approval of the Bishop, the Vestry took the initiative in severing connections with St. John’s, Marietta, and called the Rev. Carroll N. Smith to be the first Minister-in-charge of St. Luke’s Church, to the work of St. Paul’s, Manheim. Under Mr. Smith $1000 were quickly raised for the Parish building, and ground was broken on St. Peter’s Day, 1908, Mr. George Brown turning the first shovel. The building operations were now pushed rapidly. The corner stone was laid on September 19, by the Rector and several visiting clergy, and before Easter, 1909, the building with all its appointments and furniture was ready for the opening. The Altar had been presented by the Guild of St. Cecelia, the pipe organ by St. Mary’s Guild and the bell by the Sunday School. Besides these there were many other beautiful gifts, some of them memorials.

The first service was held on Easter morning. It was the Church’s great central service, Holy Communion. The following Thursday was the formal opening in the presence of the Bishop and some eighteen clergy, among whom were all the former ministers, and an offering of $757.18 was presented. Shortly after this event the Rev. Mr. Smith resigned. He had administered Holy Baptism to 21 persons and presented seven for Confirmation.

There now followed a short interregnum during which the church was served by the Rev. Mr. Watts and the Rev. Mr. Bridgeman.

The next rector was the Rev. Mr. Ffoulkes. During has short stay from November 5, 1909 to June 1, 1910, an Easter offering of $588 was given, four persons were baptized and four confirmed.

Mr. Ffoulkes was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Herbert B. Pulsifer, under whose guiding hand the guilds of St. Mary and St. Cecelia wiped out their debts on the pipe organ and altar. The Easter offering for 1911 amounted to $458.20, the “Lincoln Club” for the boys of the town was organized and four persons were admitted to the Church by sacrament of Holy Baptism.

Mr. Pulsifer resigned to accept the rectorship of St. John’s Church, Marietta, on July 1, 1911, and was succeeded immediately by the Rev. Mr. Charles E. Berghaus, who had been made a deacon on the previous Trinity Sunday, June 11^th. Mr. Berghaus’ first work was that of starting St. Elizabeth’s mission at Elizabethtown, where he now holds services of Sunday School and Evening Prayer every Sunday afternoon and Holy Communion on the second and fourth Sunday of each month.

The above brief summary, as we may truthfully say, rather opens than closes the history of St. Luke’s Parish, a parish which stands as the representative in Mount Joy of a Church which is now 1900 years old, a Church founded upon the Apostles and Prophets, a church whose Head and Corner Stone is Christ. 

(Reprinted from Centennial Souvenir Book, 1812-1912, Historical and Pictorial Mount Joy and Florin, Published June 3, 1912)

RECTORS OF St. LUKE’S 

1902     Dr. Bert Foster                   Mission Established

1904     Rev. James Diggles           Mission

1906     Rev. Joseph Sheerin         Shared w/St. John’s, Marietta

1908     Rev. Carroll Nevada Smith

1909     Rev. Llewellyn Ffoulkes      First Communion in St. Luke’s Church

1910     Rev. Herbert Pulsifer

1911     Rev. Charles E. Berghaus

1912     Rev. M. Gamble

1913     Rev. W. Miller Gamble

1914     Deacon Charles Stuart Kitchin

1915     Rev. Lewis Chester Morrison

1917     Rev. Henry Draper Speakman

1920     Rev. W.J. Morgan

1920     Rev. Oliver Edmund Newton

1922     Rev. P.H. Asheton-Martin

1925     Rev. C.E. Knickle

1928     Rev. William S.J. Dumvill

1934     Rev. Albert Haywood

1938     Rev. William J. Watts          To 1942

1942     Rev. William Earl Stephens

1946     Rev. Rutter

1947     Rev. Carlton Jones

1949     Rev. Donald Kline         Called to active duty

1950     Rev. Elmer Keiser        

1953     Rev. Paul Emenheiser

1954     Rev. Emmert Moyer                 

1959     Rev. Emmert Moyer      Resigned Feb., 1962

1962     Rev. Donald Feick       

1967     Rev. Donald Whitesel   

1981     Rev. Joseph Seville     

1984     Rev. Sherman                    Interim minister until 6/1/1984      

1984     Rev. Daniel Erdman                  To 1992

1993     Rev. Walter R. Dettweiler           1996

1996     Rev. Hilary Smits                       To 2002

2002     Rev. Elizabeth Mollard              First Female Priest

SENIOR & JUNIOR WARDENS of St. LUKE’S

            Senior                          Junior

1906     Thomas Brown

1907     Thomas Brown

1908     Thomas Brown

1909     Thomas Brown

1910     George Brown

1911     George Brown

1912     George Brown

1934                                         Benjamin Brown

1935     Ben Brown                   

1936     Elmer Brown           Benjamin Brown

No appointments 1943-1946

1946                                         Elmer Brown

1949     Thomas Brown       Howard Brown

1950     Paul Stehman

1951     Paul Stehman

1953     Earl Shelly

1954     Earl Shelly

1955     Earl Shelly                Fred Becker

1956     Lloyd Garman

1957     Earl Shelly

1958     Earl Shelly                Elwood Gillums

1959                                         Charles Heisey

1960     Earl Shelly                Charles Heisey

1961     Earl Shelly                Butch Lyndall

1961     Robert Brown          David Eller

1962     Robert Brown          Charles Heisey

1963     Robert Brown          Charles Heisey

1964     Robert Brown          Charles Heisey

1965     David Schlosser      Charles Heisey

1966     David Schlosser      Charles Heisey

1967     Robert Brown           Dudley Anderson

1968     Frank Zink                  Ralph Horne     

1969     Robert Brown           Ralph Horne

1970     Robert Brown           Ralph Horne

1971     Robert Brown           Eugene Eicherly

1972     Robert Brown           Eugene Eicherly

1973     Ben Clinger               Eugene Eicherly

1974     Ben Clinger               Roy Packer

1975     Eugene Eicherly      Roy Packer

1976     Thomas O’Connor  David Martin

1977     Thomas O’Connor  David Martin

1978     Ben Clinger               Roy Packer

1979     Ralph Horne              Roy Packer

1980     Ralph Horne              Roy Packer

1981     Ralph Horne              Roy Packer

            Helen McClurg            Thomas O’Connor

1982     Helen McClurg          Robert Gebhart

1983     Robert Gebhart         Elwood Mateer

1984     Robert Gebhart         Elwood Mateer

1985     Ralph Horne              Elwood Mateer

1986     Ralph Horne              Robert Gebhart

1987     Robert Gebhart         Elwood Mateer

1988     Robert Gebhart         Peter Ollar

1989     Peter Ollar                   Elwood Mateer

1990     Robert Gebhart          George Maxwell

1991     Robert Gebhart          Leroy Killian

1992     Robert Gebhart          Elwood Mateer

1993     Alan Robeson            Paddy Schatz

1994     Ned Yoskoski             Robert Gebhart

1995     Robert Gebhart          Elwood Mateer

1996     Robert Gebhart          Elwood Mateer

1997     Robert Gebhart          Janet Lobdel

1998     Phil Kling                     Robert Gebhart

1999     Phil Kling                     Robert Gebhart

2000     Phil Kling                     Robert Gebhart

2001     Phil Kling                     Robert Gebhart

2002     Phil Kling                     Robert Gebhart

2003     Phil Kling                     Robert Gebhart

2004     Eugene Barton, Jr.    Lane Ellis

2005     Eugene Barton, Jr.    Lane Ellis

2006     Eugene Barton, Jr.    Lane Ellis

2007     Eugene Barton, Jr.    Lane Ellis

2008     Lane Ellis                     Martin Vickers

MILESTONES IN ST. LUKE’S FORMATION

April 29, 1902    * Archdeacon Ratcliffe recommended to the bishop that an effort be made to organize a Mission in Mount Joy. The bishop asked Dr. Bert Foster, Rector of St. john’s, Marietta, to undertake the work. With this date the life of the Mission began.

April 7, 1904      * A Parish meeting was held in the Chapel (in the Opera House) to consider the advisability of becoming an organized Mission and applying for admission into union with the Church in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania. The Missionary, Rev. James W. Diggles, presided and Thomas J. Brown was elected Secretary for the meeting. After a motion by Mrs. Sarah Battye, seconded by Miss A. Kate Witmer, it was unanimously decided to apply for admission.

* On motion of Mr. George Brown, seconded by Mr. Walter G. Brown, it was agreed that the Vestry should consist of five (5) members, and the following were nominated for Vestrymen: Dr. O.G. Longenecker, Messrs. George Brown, Abram L. Kolp, Walter G. Brown, and Thomas J. Brown.

April 14, 1904    * The first organized Vestry meeting was held at the home of Mr. Abram L. Kolp. It was agreed to use the “Envelope System” to secure subscriptions for the support of the work of the church and Mr. Diggles was directed to order 30 sets of envelopes, covering the remaining eight months of this year and all of next year, together with 100 “Pledge Cards”, 100 “Reminders” and a record book for the system. 

* As the Chapel had no regular janitor heretofore, Mr. W.G. Brown  was authorized to secure one and offer 60 cents per week for the six  months  beginning November 1^st and 40 cents per week for the balance of the year.

Sept. 22, 1904   * The first Constitution and By-Laws of St. Luke’s Church were adopted by the Vestry.

Sept. 20, 1906   * The Vestry voted to offer $2,500 for the Parsonage of Bethel Church, located in the angle at the junction of Marietta and Donegal Streets. However, Bethel refused to sell for less than the $3,000 asking price and the project was abandoned.

April 4, 1907      * Vestry was increased from 5 to 9

* Vestry agrees to buy a “plot of ground on the southeast corner of Market St. and Columbia Ave. , fronting on Market St. 180 ft. and on Columbia Ave. about 155 ft.”

Oct. 8, 1907      * St. Luke’s Church was incorporated under the title of, “Rector, Churchwardens and Vestrymen of St. Luke’s Protestant Episcopal Church.”

                        * The committee appointed for the purpose reported having purchased the plot of ground at Market St. and Columbia Ave. for $925 from Mr. Jacob Zercher, with Mr. Zercher having contributed $15 to this sum. The balance of $910 was paid in full and the “Rector, Churchwardens and Vestrymen of St. Luke’s Protestant Episcopal Church” now owned the property where the church stands today.  

                        * A committee was appointed to secure plans for a Parish House and Sunday School building, the plans to be so drawn that “it can be used as a place of worship until such time as a church can be built …”

Feb. 10, 1908    * After a number of revisions, plans for the new Parish House were accepted by the Vestry. Said plans contemplated “ a building 25 x 60 feet, one story and basement; the main floor having an auditorium and two class rooms, with a transept having a Vestry room on one side and an organ chamber on the other. The building to be of stone and having a small belfry.” The architects, Messrs. George Nattress & Son, were paid $75.00 for the plans.

June 29, 1908   * Ground was broken for the new Parish House.

July 6, 1908      * J.W. Stauffer & Brothers was selected to supply the stone for the new Parish House at $1.00 per cubic yard. * Mr. John Masterson was selected to lay the stone at $3.00 per day and $1.75 per day for laborers.

Sept. 7, 1908    * The lumber contract was awarded to B.F. Heistand at $699.00 and the millwork was awarded to William Wohlsen at $505.00. 

                        * The Vestry authorized borrowing up to $3,000 to pay for materials and labor for the new Parish House (this was later increased to $4,000).

                        * The Vestry made plans to lay the corner stone on September 19, 1908 at 5:00 p.m.

                        * The Vestry authorized the purchase of a bell of 150 pounds, that being the maximum weight that the bell turret could accommodate.  

Sept. 19, 1908   * The corner stone was laid, as planned, with “appropriate services”. The Vestry minutes for October 5, 1908 reported that, “Assisting the Rector were Rev. George J. Brown of St. John’s Church, Lancaster and Rev. Norman Stockett of St. John’s Church, Marietta. The ceremony took place at 5 o’clock in the evening and was attended by nearly all of the members of the Parish and quite a number of others. Deposited in the corner stone was a History of the Parish, written by the Secretary at the request of the Vestry, giving an account of its beginning and progress up to the laying of the corner stone. The account was accompanied by a list showing the church organization, the original and present communicants and the officers, teachers and members of the Sunday School. The following were also placed in the corner stone - - A copy of the current issue of the Mt. Joy “Star and News”, “Living Church”, Young Churchman”, Prayer Book, postal card reproduction and a reproduction of the architect’s perspective drawing of the Parish House; signatures of most of those present at the laying of the corner stone; a few coins of the current year.”

* The contract for pews, altar, prayer desk and lectern was awarded to the American Seating Company at $445.00. The $125.00 cost of the altar was paid entirely by St. Cecilia’s Guild.

* The contract for the slate roof & flashing was awarded to H.H. Nissley at $335.00.

Dec. 7, 1908     * The boiler contract was awarded to Gurney Steam Boiler at $280.00.

                        * The pipe organ contract was awarded to Mr. C.S. Haskell, Organ Builder of Philadelphia at $850.00. The entire amount was paid by St. Mary’s Guild.    

 Jan. 7, 1909     * A contract for plastering was awarded to William Lockard at 11¢ per yard.

                        * The contract for lighting fixtures was awarded to Messrs. Flynn & Brennemen of Lancaster at $175.00.

                        * Subscriptions for stained glass windows totaled $650.00. A contract for all of the stained glass windows was awarded to Mr. Alfred Godwin, 1343 Arch Street, Philadelphia at $727.00.

                        * A cement walk and a cement basement were laid.

Feb. 8, 1909     * The Vestry set April 15, 1909 (Thursday after Easter) for the official opening of the Parish House.

Apr. 11, 1909    * Holy Communion was celebrated for the first time in the new Parish House at 6 0’clock Easter Day morning, Mr. Smith being the celebrant. About 36 communicants received (communion) at this service.

Apr. 19, 1909    * Carpet for the Chancel and aisle was purchased from Watt & Shand at $1.27½ per yard.

May 5, 1909      * The Vestry increased the borrowing authorization for the project to $4,000 (total).

Nov. 11, 1909    * A concrete curb was laid along Columbia Avenue. Also, a 10-foot walk was laid from the east basement door.

Feb. 7, 1910     * The Vestry declared the Parish House to be completed.

Mar. 29, 1910    * Vestry was increased from 9 to 10.  

Oct. 10, 1911     * Rev. Berghaus reported a boys club in process of formation. The name selected for the club was Delta Mu Theta (ΔΜΘ).

YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT: 

* The first three rectors of St. Luke’s were primarily assigned to St. John’s, Marietta, who paid the major portion of their salaries. Some of the items St. Luke’s was required to pay included, “carriage hire and tolls” (for the Mount Joy-Marietta Turnpike).

* When St. Luke’s fourth rector, Rev. Carroll Nevada Smith, was hired, it was with the understanding that he was to be shared with St. Paul’s, Manheim. St. Paul’s also had to pay their share of “carriage hire and tolls”. Rev. Smith, having overseen the major portion of the building of the Parish House, resigned just two weeks after it was officially opened.

 * In 1904, the Secretary was authorized to buy six dozen assembly room chairs for the sprightly sum of $92.21, a bargain indeed.

* In November, 1904, Mr. George Brown was selected as the first delegate from St. Luke’s to attend the Diocesan convention, which was held in Lancaster(!) The purpose of the convention was to elect a Bishop of the Diocese. The elected candidate subsequently declined to accept the position and the whole process had to be repeated in January of 1905, this time in Harrisburg.

* St. Luke’s first organ had 506 pipes and was driven by a water motor, which used water pressure to drive the bellows.

* In 1910, “in recognition of their services”, the choir was treated to a three day outing at Wild Cat Glen.

* The first Rectory was a rented house on Frank Street in mount Joy at a cost to the church of $10 a month.

* The first Rector’s salaries were on the order of $600-$800 a year and, depending on church finances, they did not always get paid on time.

* The first insurance policy on “furniture, fixtures, books, etc.” was for $500 and cost $1.60 per year.

* The only priest ever “drafted” was Rev. Donald Kline who was called to active service in 1949.

* The first (and only) female Senior Warden was Helen McClurg, appointed in 1981.

* The first (and only) female Junior Warden was Paddy Schatz, appointed in 1993.

* The first (and hopefully not the only) female priest was Rev. Beth Mollard.