An undated photograph (recently colorized) of St. Paul’s Union Church, also known as Bowerman’s Church, Enterline, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
The following history of Bowerman’s Church appeared in the Souvenir Book for the Halifax Area Bicentennial, 1794-1994:
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, at Enterline, in Powell’s Valley, was formed by a Lutheran and Reformed congregation in 1824, which continued to worship together until October 6, 1968, World Wide Communion Sunday.
The name Bowerman originated from the fact that a Bowerman family donated some ground to erect a church, which was dedicated on January 17, 1827. Rev. John A. Hemping, Lutheran faith, and the Rev. Isaac Gerhart, Reformed faith, were the ministers. The dimensions of this building were 25 feet wide and 35 feet long. The structure was built of logs. It had no weather boarding and no steeple and the basement was used for a community school room. The pulpit in the church was very high with a long stairway and was surrounded by a railing with a small gate to enter. The sanctuary was equipped with straight backed seats open to the neck. Candles were used for lighting and German was used for the script.
In 1843, the church building was weather boarded and painted white. In 1846, at a cost of $35.67 the inside of the sanctuary was plastered. A new pulpit was put in, costing $18 for labor and $4 board bill. in 1860, a belfry was added costing approximately $125 and a bell was purchased from Kelker and Brothers for $129.50. The same year a new roof was placed and the building was repainted. In 1881 , an organ was purchased for $110. The basement was heated with a template woodburning stove, light was admitted through small windows near the ceiling. Pupils furnished their own books, one being the German testament. They sat at long desks facing each other. They went to school for three months at a cost of one dollar for each pupil.
On January 1, 1903, members of this church had their annual settling. Members of both congregations were present. They spoke about erecting a new building as they felt the old one was no longer safe for them to worship in. All members of the community were notified and a special meeting was held on January 10, 1903. A building committee was selected consisting of Joseph Lebo, Charles Lebo, William Bowerman, Levi Bowman, John Mauss, Bernard Hoffman, William Hoffman, Grant Lenker, Washington Sheetz, Walter Zimmerman, Samuel Rummel, Aaron Hoffman, John Corsnitz, John Sweigard, Amos Speece, Chrales Harman, Daniel Rummel and William Sweigard. At the January 17, 1903 meeting it was decided to build a new church 35 feet wide and 55 feet long. Charles Lebo was the boss carpenter at $1.50 a day. Other carpenters received $1 a day. The old building was torn down and all services were held in the Enterline School house. Cornelius Hoffman was in charge of hauling stone from the mountain for the foundation.
The cornerstone was laid July 2, 1903. Peter Hoffman moved his sawmill near the church to saw the lumber. Dedication services were held April 24, 1904. In 1924, a metal ceiling was installed, inside painted, and a new carpet laid. In 1925, a new piano was purchased and altar, pulpit, and lectern covers secured and dedicated.
Family names of these early times were Bowerman, Enterline, Feil (File), Faber, Gibbel (or Gipple), Hoffman, Shetz (or Sheetz), Sheesley, Sweigard, Powel, Haber, Kashnitz (Corsnitz), Strayer, Kinsinger, Hocklander, Hook (Hawk), Shiley and Welker.
Ensuing years showed many changes to the church. A basement social room was added which is also used for class rooms. The interior of the church has been refurbished several times, making it a truly beautiful church to worship at in a tranquil country setting.
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Additional information about this church and its history can be obtained from the Halifax Area Historical Society, P. O. Box 562, Halifax, Pennsylvania 17032, or by contacting them through their Facebook Page.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.