Historic Dallastown Churches Walking Tour

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Historic Dallastown Churches Walking Tour

Religion and faith were important to early German settlers who arrived in Pennsylvania as early as the 1680s. People of Lutheran and Reformed faiths travelled together and settled together in this area, often erecting one building to supply both faiths and sharing pastors for worship and rites of marriage and baptism. Such was the case of the earliest log church established in Dallastown on property belonging to Martin Blymire. St. John Blymire’s (1009 Blymire Road, Dallastown). St. Paul’s United Church of Christ (now a 7th Day Adventist Church at 205 West Main Street), and Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church (126 West Main Street) trace their roots to this same log building.

Bethlehem United Brethren (now Bethlehem Life Church at 109 E Main Street) and Trinity Evangelical United Brethren (now a Coptic Christian Church at 16 S Charles Street) churches developed separately out of evangelistic camp or tent meetings. St. Joseph’s Catholic Church (251 E. Main St.) began as a mission church served by a visiting priest.

On Sunday, October 5th, the Dallastown Historical Society highlights the six Historic Churches of Dallastown during their 1 to 4 pm Open House. During this time, St. John’s Blymire’s UCC, Christ Lutheran, Bethlehem Life, and St. Joseph’s Catholic churches will be open with greeters present for visitors to view their sanctuaries and ask questions. Tour Maps and parking are available at these four churches and the Historical Society Building at 118 E Main Street that day. Participants may start or park at any of these sites and use the map to walk or ride to the other sites. The event will take place Rain or Shine.