HISTORY OF THE SHIPPENSBURG CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
In the late 1800's, as many people moved into town to work at manufacturing jobs, members of the Ridge Church saw a need for a house of worship in the town of Shippen.
The decision to build a church in Shippen was made at a business meeting of the Ridge congregation held at Salem. The group is said to have consisted of about two dozen people. The first organized activity of the group was a series of meetings held in the old Grace Reformed Church with the Rev. Albert Hollinger preaching.
Subscriptions for the Shippensburg group amounting to $1306 were received and a building committee was appointed. Under the leadership of the trustees, the Ridge COB purchased two adjoining lots in the Borough of Shippensburg on October 3, 1896. Ground was broken in the spring of 1896. Most of the construction was done by the members.
The original church house, measuring 52 feet by 40 feet, had no spire. Two entrances, one on the southeast corner and the other on Garfield Street, opened into the building, which was finished in white. The plain ceiling was lined with stained oak. The total cost of the building, completed in December 1896, was between $2600 and $2800. The church was dedicated on Sunday, December 27, 1896.
The following Sunday, January 3, 1897, the Sunday school was organized. The school was held on Sunday afternoons, making it possible for members of other churches to attend. It became necessary to enlarge the building, so a gallery and some Sunday school rooms were added to the rear of the church. A baptistry was also installed.
During the years 1916, 1917, and 1918, the church basement was remodeled to accommodate Sunday school classes. A new heating and lighting system were also installed at that time, and a piano was presented to the congregation by John M. Fogelsanger of Philadelphia. This piano, the first in the district, remains on display even today in the old part of the church basement. In 1926 the interior of the church was renovated.
In 1920, the church bought a parsonage on North Penn Street and later another parsonage was purchased on South Prince Street.
Prior to 1926, the Shippensburg and Ridge congregations were served jointly by one minister. On May 7, 1926, the Shippensburg group became a separate congregation. The first pastor of the Shippensburg congregation was the Rev. Frederick R. Zook. The first paid minister was Dr. Ross Dale Murphy. During his second pastorate, from 1954 to 1962, the new sanctuary was built. Dr. Murphy was instrumental in persuading the congregation to install the beautiful stained glass windows that adorn the sanctuary to this day.
Casper Frederick Hosfelt, the second name to appear on the Shippensburg COB deed, served the Shippensburg and Ridge congregations as a lay minister for 35 years.
At the spring council meeting in 1944, the Shippensburg congregation decided to build a new sanctuary. The estimated cost of the superstructure was $15,000. Hoping to raise this amount in three years, the committee planned to begin construction in September 1944 if two-thirds of the $15,000 had been obtained or pledged by that time.
Nearly nine years elapsed before the groundbreaking ceremony took place. During the years 1946 through 1950, the coal furnace was replaced with an oil burner, a Hammond organ was installed, and another parsonage was purchased at 303 E. Walnut Street.
A groundbreaking service was finally held on May 31, 1953 during the morning worship service. The decision to buy the present stained glass windows was made on November 10,1953. The contract called for them to install 14 windows. The corner stone for the new sanctuary was laid September 27, 1953.