TIES THAT BIND - Faith United Lutheran Parish; Honoring the Past and Embracing the Future
Many members of our three churches may not realize that Barren’s, Emmanuel, and St. John’s Franklin have a long and intertwined history going back well over 100 years. We are three separate churches, united in a parish facing the future as we grow individually and together. To build a future we must understand the past and the depth of our roots.
In January 1888 there was an adjustment to the local “charge” of Lutheran churches and the Clear Springs Charge was formed with Salem (Barren’s), Emmanuel, St. John’s Franklin, and St. Paul’s as members, sharing pastors.
Prior to the founding of Emmanuel in the 1880’s, Barren’s (Salem) and St. John’s Franklin have roots and ties going back much farther while sharing similar histories.
Both congregations began in log structures with a cemetery associated and had school houses that were used until public education was available.
York County history says St. John’s Franklin was established prior to the Revolutionary War. The first burial in Franklin Union Cemetery was Valentine Kitner in 1766. Formal establishment of the congregation occurred on December 9, 1794.
Barren’s (Salem) also began in a log structure dedicated in January 1812 which remained in use for over fifty years. The first burial in Salem Cemetery was Barbara Shetron in 1811. During the early years of both churches it was common to share both Lutheran and Reformed pastors.
Take a walk through the cemeteries at Barren’s, St. John’s Franklin, and Dillsburg and look at the names and dates. Those were the builders of our churches and congregations. It is through their efforts and sacrifices that we are here today. To some degree the Parish has always been here in one form or another. We are temporary stewards of our traditions and heritage and it is up to us to pass that along to those who will follow.
What follows is a newspaper article announcing the dedication of the “Franklintown Lutheran Church” (Emmanuel) written in the language of the day.
Church Dedicated
“The Franklintown Lutheran church was dedicated to Almighty God on Sabbath evening, May 16, 1886. Services were held on Saturday evening by Rev E. D. Weigle of Littlestown, Adams county, Sabbath forenoon by Rev. D. Sell of East Berlin and on Sabbath evening by Rev. A. B. Erhart of Rossville, after which the dedicatory services were conducted by Rev. Weigle. Sabbath afternoon was devoted to a childrens’ meeting. Addresses were delivered my Messrs. Martin Bender and Jere Carl of York; Revs Weigle and Sell. During the day there was a large concourse of people in attendance. The congregation succeeded in collecting the snug sum of $411.00 which almost liquidated the entire indebtedness on the new building. The building committee take this method of returning thanks for the very liberal contributions received.”
It should also be noted that the land for the church was donated by John Klugh who is buried at St. John’s and that the ministers mentioned served all three of our churches.
In January 1888 there was an adjustment to the local “charge” of Lutheran churches and the Clear Springs Charge was formed with Salem (Barren’s), Emmanuel, St. John’s Franklin, and St. Paul’s as members, sharing pastors.
Prior to the founding of Emmanuel in the 1880’s, Barren’s (Salem) and St. John’s Franklin have roots and ties going back much farther while sharing similar histories.
Both congregations began in log structures with a cemetery associated and had school houses that were used until public education was available.
York County history says St. John’s Franklin was established prior to the Revolutionary War. The first burial in Franklin Union Cemetery was Valentine Kitner in 1766. Formal establishment of the congregation occurred on December 9, 1794.
Barren’s (Salem) also began in a log structure dedicated in January 1812 which remained in use for over fifty years. The first burial in Salem Cemetery was Barbara Shetron in 1811. During the early years of both churches it was common to share both Lutheran and Reformed pastors.
Take a walk through the cemeteries at Barren’s, St. John’s Franklin, and Dillsburg and look at the names and dates. Those were the builders of our churches and congregations. It is through their efforts and sacrifices that we are here today. To some degree the Parish has always been here in one form or another. We are temporary stewards of our traditions and heritage and it is up to us to pass that along to those who will follow.
What follows is a newspaper article announcing the dedication of the “Franklintown Lutheran Church” (Emmanuel) written in the language of the day.
Church Dedicated
“The Franklintown Lutheran church was dedicated to Almighty God on Sabbath evening, May 16, 1886. Services were held on Saturday evening by Rev E. D. Weigle of Littlestown, Adams county, Sabbath forenoon by Rev. D. Sell of East Berlin and on Sabbath evening by Rev. A. B. Erhart of Rossville, after which the dedicatory services were conducted by Rev. Weigle. Sabbath afternoon was devoted to a childrens’ meeting. Addresses were delivered my Messrs. Martin Bender and Jere Carl of York; Revs Weigle and Sell. During the day there was a large concourse of people in attendance. The congregation succeeded in collecting the snug sum of $411.00 which almost liquidated the entire indebtedness on the new building. The building committee take this method of returning thanks for the very liberal contributions received.”
It should also be noted that the land for the church was donated by John Klugh who is buried at St. John’s and that the ministers mentioned served all three of our churches.