Our Founding Story
Union was the 4th Lutheran church in York, and the first church west of the Codorus Creek. In January of 1859, a group of citizens from the neighborhood met to form the church. The name "Union" was chosen because the new church unites members of other existing congregations into a new neighborhood church. Union Lutheran was chartered by the State of Pennsylvania on March 22, 1859.
On March 29, 1859, the lot for the church was purchased for $1,000., and the contract to build the church was awarded for $5,636. On June 2, 1859 the cornerstone was laid for the original building. February 11, 1860, Rev. John Menges was called as Union's first pastor, at a salary of $400 a year. In 1916, the property adjacent to the church was purchased from the Loucks family for $17,500 and in 1926, J. A. Dempwolf was employed as the architect to design a new sanctuary.
January 1928, the cornerstone was laid for the new (and present) stone sanctuary, which was dedicated on Sept. 15, 1929.
The Cross, the focal point of the Christian way of life, hangs in front of the dossal at the altar. This silver cross, made by Gorham & Company of New York, originally sat on a three-step base. It was later converted to the hanging cross that you see today.
Our stained glass windows were installed in 1928-29 and were supplied by three different manufacturers at a total cost of $17,980. The windows speak for themselves. They are unique, beautiful, and likely the most compelling features of Union.
On March 29, 1859, the lot for the church was purchased for $1,000., and the contract to build the church was awarded for $5,636. On June 2, 1859 the cornerstone was laid for the original building. February 11, 1860, Rev. John Menges was called as Union's first pastor, at a salary of $400 a year. In 1916, the property adjacent to the church was purchased from the Loucks family for $17,500 and in 1926, J. A. Dempwolf was employed as the architect to design a new sanctuary.
January 1928, the cornerstone was laid for the new (and present) stone sanctuary, which was dedicated on Sept. 15, 1929.
The Cross, the focal point of the Christian way of life, hangs in front of the dossal at the altar. This silver cross, made by Gorham & Company of New York, originally sat on a three-step base. It was later converted to the hanging cross that you see today.
Our stained glass windows were installed in 1928-29 and were supplied by three different manufacturers at a total cost of $17,980. The windows speak for themselves. They are unique, beautiful, and likely the most compelling features of Union.
