Did you know? - Welcome to FBCOY!
· The First Baptist Church site was originally on South George Street where the York Post Office Annex is now located.
· The first Worship Service was conducted on the Lord’s Day, December 1850, under the ministry of Rev. George Slaysman.
· Rev. George Slaysman taught a class in vocal music to support his ministry at First Baptist—Year 1851.
· The population of York at this time was 8,000.
· On the 21st day of May, 1851, the First Baptist Church of York was voted into existence.
· During the 1st year, 1851-1852, eleven people were baptized and admitted to membership.
· The first person to be baptized was Mary Ann Wireman.
· Over a period of time and at various intervals, Rev. Slaysman served First Baptist faithfully for three separate terms.
· After having occupied a rented hall in center city during the early years of First Baptist, the relatively small membership voted to move to the corner of South George Street and Baptist Avenue (named after purchase). On July 1, 1852 ground was broken for a house of worship. In 1853 a parsonage was erected, with Rev. Slaysman doing most of the work and paying for the materials and labor. In 1862 Rev. Slaysman was forced to resign due to lack of financing, in addition aid from the convention was withdrawn.
· Pulpit Bible—In 1861, at the beginning of the Civil War, 106th Pennsylvania, USA, was allowed to use our church as a barracks. These soldiers were the “Duquesne Grays”. They had no tents or protection from the weather and food was scarce, so Rev. George Slaysman invited them to occupy our church for the duration of their stay. Later, when they were ordered to the front, they inquired about the bill. The church membership said, “We gladly do this for our country’s sake.” Sometime after the departure of the “Duquesne Grays”, they sent as a gift the Pulpit Bible of which our church is so justly proud.
increased in membership to 52. Rev. W. B. Skinner took charge in 1881. During his ministry of almost 2 1/2 years, the congregation increased in interest and members. 41 new members were added; baptisms were frequent. The property improved in value to $550.00.
· In 1886 Rev. J. M. Bacheldor came to preach - the pulpit was supplied by him until July 1888. Again, Rev. Slaysman was called to become pastor in April of 1889. During his third pastorate, there was an increase of 21 members, and a decrease of 26. Later, because of age, Rev. Slaysman resigned April 3, which became effective June 1, 1892. Following Dr. Slaysman’s resignation, the pastors serving from June 1892 were: Rev. J. C. Stock, Rev. W. E. Needham, Rev. C. C. Parker, Rev. D. J. Rawlinson, again C. D. Parker, Rev. M. Bowers, Rev. J. Schnerring, Rev. D. L. Martin, Rev. H. M. Doreell and Dr. C. C. Cox who resigned, January 1927.
· July 1903—The Board of Trustees appointed Sister Wagner to visit all members who had not fulfilled their commitment to the Debt Fund. She was to be paid 10% commission for any monies collected.
· Brother Morgan Watt mailed a $10 check toward the church debt. In appreciation the Trustees instructed the secretary to write a special letter of thanks to Brother Watt.
· Trustee Wagner was also paid $5 as his promised fee for soliciting funds toward the Debt Fund.
· February 6, 1904—Trustees Edwin Daron, J. Adams, and Fox were appointed to employ a sexton for a salary of $1.50 per week. Mr. Bossler became our sexton for a short time and after him, Mr. J. Wagner was hired for $7 per month.
· A bill for $5.50 was paid by the Trustees for the installation of screen doors and window screens at the parsonage.
· September 14, 1904—An offer from Francis Wagner to loan the church $20 at 6% interest was accepted with thanks.
corner of George Street and Baptist Avenue. The church property was sold to C. J. Helfrich for $43,000 and three lots, 150’x 140’ were purchased at the corner of South Queen Street and Springdale Road for the sum of $6,000.
· After the resignation of Rev. C. C. Cox in January, 1927, a unanimous call by a special congregational committee was extended to Rev. John L. Sawyer in July 1927. Dr. Sawyer accepted the call and became our pastor on September 11, 1927. A Building Committee was appointed in December 1926 and after consulting with George E. Merrill, Secretary of the Architectural department of the Northern Baptist Convention, plans for the church were drawn up, submitted and later approved. Sunday, July 17, 1927, ground breaking exercises for the new church were held. Church members, friends, and visitors from other Baptist churches in the Harrisburg Association were in attendance. Presiding over the ceremonies was Dr. A. H. Owens of Lancaster Baptist Church. Exercises began with a song service conducted by former choir director, Dr. F. W. Rathcliff. The opening prayer was made by John Burkhart of Lancaster Baptist. Our choir director at the time was Mr. Fred Lewis. Our new Pastor Dr. John Sawyer, Dr. A. H. Owens of Lancaster, Dr. Rathcliff, and Rev. Max Wiant spoke briefly. Rev. John Sawyer then turned over the first shovel of dirt followed by Deacons, Trustees, and the Building Committee—after which Mrs. Ida Witta, the oldest member present, and Rodney Bricker, the youngest member present, took their turn with the shovel.
· Services for the cornerstone laying were held on Sunday, September 18, 1927 at 2:30 at the new and nearly completed church. Newly elected pastor, Rev. John Sawyer conducted the ceremony which was held in the auditorium in sunlight, in sunlight because the roof was not completed. The service opened with the singing of, “How Firm a Foundation”. Following the singing, Mr. F. H. Hartley, a member of the Board of Deacons and Superintendent of the Sunday School led in prayer. Following the prayer by Mr. Hartley, Rev. Sawyer delivered a most memorable speech in which he commented on the work of the church building and, at the same time set forth the future spiritual aims of the church. Subsequently, a copper box made by Mr. A Herman Hoke, father of Marie Smith and Jeanne Bair, was placed in the cornerstone by Rev. Sawyer. Contained in the box were the following articles: a small Bible, a list of church officers, building committee, church membership roll, copy of church charter, church covenant, history of church organization, list of former pastors, news articles containing an account of the cornerstone laying, and a silver coin. The singing of “The Church in the Wildwood” concluded the service.
· The new church was dedicated Sunday, March 18, 1928 at 2:30 p.m. The service began with the singing of “How Firm a Foundation”. The congregation stood for the singing of several additional hymns, after which Rev. Sawyer brought the scripture lesson and prayer. The presentation of the keys was made by Clarence T. Hodgson and the reception of the keys was made by A. Herman Hoke, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Rev. Henry J. Whalen, D. D. preached the dedication sermon. The Rev. Dr. Sawyer then led the Service of Dedication. Following a prayer of dedication, the hymn, “The Church’s One Foundation” was sung. Rev.Sawyer closed the service with prayer.
· Credit is due to the following: The architect, John B. Hamme, designed a modified Georgian Colonial style for the entire building. The general contractor for the construction was the Hess Brothers Company. William Christensen of York erected the steel and iron work. The pews and chancel furniture, a dark walnut tone, were manufactured and set in place by the Manitowoc Furniture Company of Waukesha, Wisconsin. The mural in the sanctuary above the baptistry is a copy of Heinreich Hoffman’s “Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane.” This painting was done in the church and on canvass.
· The first wedding performed—Lynn Shatto and Grace Hartley.
· Our first church on George Street had outside toilets.
· Four couples who sang on the original Young Peoples’ Choir: Ralph and Virginia Luckenbaugh, Francis and Jeanne Bair, Ben and Dorothy Williams, and Don and Marie Smith. Three of these couples (Bair, Williams and Smith) were married by Rev. John Sawyer.
· After the new church was dedicated, Rev. Sawyer continued as Pastor until his resignation in August 1945. The Rev. Robert Crawford was called to serve First Baptist on May 5, 1946 and served until April 20, 1949. The Rev. Wm. Kerns was called in January 1950. During his pastorate additional classroom space was provided for by excavating under the sanctuary. Rev. Kerns remained until January 31, 1954. Next came Rev. Oliver Peterson, who accepted the call on September 1, 1954. During the course of his pastorate, a need to build onto the present church because of a growing congregation, became paramount. A new building committee was appointed in 1956. A new parsonage was acquired at 190 Marion Road. A Building Fund was begun for additional expansion. The new building addition was planned as an educational unit housing the nursery, kindergarten, primary, and junior departments. After serving First Baptist until May 1, 1960, Rev. Peterson accepted a call to serve the Lansdale Baptist Church.
the new addition to Howard Pottorff, chairman of the Trustees.