First United Methodist Church of Chambersburg

History Then

Our Church Begins

Early United Brethren preachers held services from time to time in the home of John and Catherine Oaks who lived at 212 South Second Street, Chambersburg. It was here that the Reverend Samuel Huber organized the first congregation of our denomination in Franklin County. It was aptly named First United Brethren in Christ Church. There were eighteen charter members.

The First Building

On May 29, 1823, a plot of land 64 feet by 256 feet, on the same site where the present church now stands, was purchased for $110. A stone church was only one story high and enclosed with a paling fence. The pulpit was originally built in the east end located between two entry doors. Lighting was supplied by candles set on wall brackets. The auditorium was heated by two immense wood stoves. This was the first United Brethren in Christ Church building erected in Franklin County.

The Second Building

The second building was erected in 1852 during the pastorate of Reverend John Dickson. The church enrollment at that time was 100. A brick one story structure, forty by sixty feet, it replaced the original stone structure. The total cost of the building was $1,980, allowing $350 for the old building. No photography of this church has been located.

The Third Building

The third building was erected in 1882 while the Reverend J. R. Miller was pastor. Enrollment was 301. This building was a brick two story structure with a basement. The sanctuary was on the second floor, and the first floor was given to the work of the Sunday School. It was dedicated on February 11, 1883, by Bishop John Dickson. The building was completed for a total cost of $9,191.

The Fourth Building

The present building was erected in 1899 during the pastorate of Reverend William H. Washinger who later was elected Bishop in 1917. Enrollment had reached 780. Mr. Jacob Summers hand picked the brick for the front of this church. The building was paid for by the time it was finished. It was said to be the most costly and finest church complex in the denomination at that time. The church included a beautiful organ and a fine set of ten bell chimes in the tower. On April 1, 1932, during the pastorate of Reverend J. Stewart Glen, Sr., a fire destroyed a portion of the interior of the church. The entire plant was renovated, and several educational rooms were enlarged. In 1950, during the pastorate of Dr. S. Fred Christman, the sanctuary of the church was redecorated and modernized, featuring an open chancel.

Tidbits

With denominational mergers, First United Brethren Church became First Evangelical United Brethren Church in 1946 and in 1968 became the First United Methodist Church.

When First Church was initially organized as a congregation, it was felt necessary to build a church for the denomination. The attendance at the preaching meetings had grown so large the members' homes could not accommodate everyone. The congregation felt it would be quite a challenge to raise the necessary money since there were already many churches in Chambersburg. Reverend Huber proclaimed "if we want a church then we must raise the money to build it." A subscription paper was prepared for that purpose and Reverend Huber raised $500 (a considerable sum of money) from residents of Main Street. Brothers Braiser and Flinder then raised $200 more. The first building went up at a cost of this sum, $700.

Until 1847 the services were conducted mainly in the German language. The congregation at that time was mostly German. Due to the Mennonite influence in our origin, certain customs prevailed in the first church. Choirs had not been established. Organs were not tolerated in public worship. The wearing of gold and jewelry was frowned upon, and anything but the plainest of dress and manner of wearing the hair, especially among the women, was openly rebuked. Men and women sat apart in separate rows. In the early 1870's, men and women were permitted to be seated together. 1884 was the first time an organ was permitted to be used in the worship service.

When the present church was to be built in 1899, Reverend William Washinger requested the congregation to support the cost of installing ten bell chimes in a bell tower. The membership objected and voted down his request. They said they did not feel the bells were necessary. Reverend Washinger was so determined to have the bell chimes that he decided to raise the funds himself. He did just that by raising the $5,000 needed to purchase and install the ten bells and keyboard. Reverend Washinger was sincere and convincing; one of the contributors was John W. Wanamaker of the Philadelphia department store firm. First Church had the distinction of having the first and only hand operated bells in Chambersburg. These were installed at a cost of $5,000 and today are worth in excess of $100,000. Since the original installation, the bells have been changed from hand operated to electronic operation from the organ console.

With grateful acknowledgement to the work of former historians and record keepers, these facts and photographs have been compiled from the First United Methodist Church Archives and submitted by the committee on Records and History. The church archives, located in the Gabler Room, are open for research and review by members and the public the first Monday of the month (1:00 - 3:30 p.m.) or by appointment.