Edward Shippen, writing to Mr. William Allen from Lancaster, July 4, 1755 (five days before the defeat of Braddock's Army), tells of the danger from the Indians to which the people of Shippensburg were exposed in case of the failure of Braddock's expedition.  "They (the enemy) can march through the woods under cover within 20 miles of Shippensburg and they can come that 20 miles one way on a path leaving Tuscarora Mountain on the right hand and see but two houses, until they are within two miles of my place (Shippensburg)."

In a letter written to Edward Shippen in 1755 (soon after Braddock's defeat) James Burd wrote, "This town is full of people, they being all moving in with their families -- five or six families in a house.  We are in great want of ammunition, but with what we have we are determined to give to the enemy as warm a reception as we can."

Governor Morris, hearing while in Cumberland County of Braddock's defeat -- knowing that the protection of the people could not depend on the stockade, quickly laid the ground for a wooden fort in the town of Carlisle and gave direction that one of the same kind be quickly constructed at Shippensburg.

In contrast to Carlisle, where preparations seemed to lag, Shippensburg set briskly to work on its fort, thanks to Edward Shippen's interest, Swaine's activity, and James Burd's direction.

On Sunday, November 2, Burd wrote to Edward Shippen that, "We for these two days past have been working at our fort, and believe shall work this day.  As our fort goes on here with great vigor and expect to be finished in 15 days, in which we intend to throw all the Women and Children.  We have 100 men working at Fort Morris."

Like the other forts of this period this fort was a stockade built of logs.  Colonel William Eyre, who saw it on February 13, 1762, described it as a "small fort made of Stockades . . . A well within seventy feet deep, and very good water, it stands high."  Indeed, the specific feature most frequently mentioned in the accounts is the well, which was dug with great effort.

After Braddock's defeat July 9, 1755, the stockades in the Cumberland Valley at Carlisle, Shippensburg and Loudon, each garrisoned by about seventy men, afforded very little protection for the countryside.  Therefore, the French and their Indian allies would often swoop down on the settlers of the valley.  For the next ten years Cumberland County was the scene of murder, burning houses and horrid massacres, many taking place fairly close to Shippensburg.

So people flocked into the village, or left for eastern parts of Lancaster and York counties.  The number of people in the valley slain, scalped or carried away into captivity was very great.  The whole valley was made one of desolation and blood.

The ground was plowed, the seed sown, and the harvest gathered under the fear of tomahawk and rifle.  Scarcely any outdoor labor was safely executed.

With the signing of a treaty of peace with the French in 1763, many returned to their farms that had been laid waste.  But again in July, 1763, there was a terrible invasion of the valley.  The Indians swooped down again.  The whole countryside west of Shippensburg became the prey of the fierce savages.  They set fire to houses, barns, corn, and hay.  People were massacred with great cruelty.  The residents of Shippensburg took many fleeing people in and gave them protection.  There were 1,384 people; 301 men, 345 women, 738 children.  Every stable and hovel was crowded with miserable refugees.  Even the streets were filled with people.

After these Indian troubles were over, the early settlers again returned to their old homes and in a short time they had their land under cultivation again.  Industry began to appear on every hand -- distilleries, grist mills, and sawmills.

By 1735 so many people had settled here that a petition was presented to the courts for the laying out of a road from Harris' Ferry to the Potomac -- " . . . this road to follow -- Harris Ferry to James Silvers Spring, to Robert Dunning's Spring, to Shippensburg, to Reynolds' Spring, to Conococheague Creek."  When the course of the "Great Road" was laid out from Harris' Ferry to the Potomac in 1744, Shippensburg was the only village on its entire course.

Shippensburg, situated as it is, was always an important place on the roads that crossed the valley.  Even from the very first it was situated upon some of the oldest and best Indian paths of the area.

As early as 1773 the chief route of communication from Philadelphia and the eastern part of the colony to the west was up the valley to Shippensburg, thence by the old military road across to Fort Loudon.  After Braddock's defeat a large part of his dispirited and destitute troops returned by this route, expecting to be quartered at Shippensburg and Carlisle, but plans were changed and they were sent on to Philadelphia and thus to New York.  The town soon became an important point on the road from Lancaster to the Potomac.  The stage company announced in 1796, "Having extended the line from Lancaster to Shippensburg through Middletown, Harrisburg, and Carlisle, we beg leave to announce to our friends that from and after the commencement of the running of the stages from Philadelphia to Lancaster through in a day they will run their stages on this line twice a week from Lancaster to Shippensburg.  That is to say, a stage will set out from Shippensburg on Monday morning and arrive at Lancaster Thursday evening.  Another stage will set out from Shippensburg on Friday morning and arrive at Lancaster on Saturday evening.  The fare for each passenger will be $4.00 and the same for 150 lbs. of luggage (after allowing each passenger 14 lbs.).  Five cents per mile for all way passengers."

The arrival and departure of these stages were looked forward to by the villagers.  The arrivals of coaches were often announced by streamers, waving, horn blowing, horses on the run, people rushing up to hear the latest news from Lancaster and Philadelphia.

The turnpike road from Harrisburg to Chambersburg was constructed and incorporated in 1816.  This was crossed in Shippensburg by the "Three Mountain Road," a highway that led from Shippensburg through Orrstown to Bedford in one direction and on toward Baltimore in the other.  There were also numerous trails and pack horse routes that came into Shippensburg.  Five hundred pack horses could be seen in Shippensburg at one time, loaded with salt, iron, etc.  These horses were generally led in divisions of twelve or fifteen, carrying about 200 lbs. each, all going in single file and being managed by two men, one going before as leader and the other in the rear.  The animals were generally furnished with bells, which were kept from ringing during the day, but were allowed to ring at night, when the horses were free and allowed to graze.

After the days of the pack horses the Conestoga wagons were introduced, these being drawn by six, eight or ten horses.  In 1831 the railroad was started and was opened from Harrisburg to Chambersburg in 1837.  Shippensburg soon became an important railroad center, and industry and the community continued to prosper.  At one time Shippensburg had in its vicinity thirteen hotels and hostelries.  Shippensburg was incorporated January 21, 1819.  The population in 1810 was 1,159; 1820--1,410; 1830--1,808; and 1840--1,473.


CHAPTER II
The Churches of Shippensburg
(Prior to 1866)

The colony of Pennsylvania was settled with greater rapidity than any of the other colonies.  This can no doubt be mainly attributed to the religious toleration which was secured to the colony by its character and its fundamental laws.  The liberality of the Quakers of Pennsylvania, who were disposed to open their arms to all denominations of professing Christians who might be inclined to settle among them, induced the flocking of people to a place where man did not pretend to assume the prerogatives of Deity, nor judge, condemn and punish in His stead.

Since the migration of a very large percentage of the settlers into the Cumberland Valley was due to their having fled their homeland because of religious persecution, the early religious sentiment in Shippensburg was strongly developed.  Most of the colonists had been reared in a religious environment.  They had been taught to worship God.  Nor were the sacred lessons of duty to the great Father of Mercies, which they had received in their earlier years, forgotten by them even amidst the privations they had to endure and the circumstances which beset them here in this wilderness.  On entering the cabins of the settlers one of the first things that a stranger would see was the Bible.  If no other book was seen, the Bible was certain to occupy a conspicuous place in the rude cabin.  A reverence for that sacred book as well as for the church of their fathers was one of the distinguishing characteristics of these people, and one of their first and most cherished desires was to have some place in which to worship God.  We find, accordingly, very early applications or "supplications" presented by them for ministers to be sent among them, to break unto them the Bread of Life.  Indeed, it was in the church that the sweetest and best enjoyments of the week might be hoped for by those who lived on such a rugged and dangerous frontier.

The largest number of these early immigrants were Scotch-Irish.   They were also, almost all of them by profession of faith, Presbyterians.  The greater number of these people or their immediate ancestors had formerly removed from Scotland to Ireland.  King James of England had desired to develop vast estates of land in Ireland that he confiscated from the enemies of the Crown.  To do this, he invited a number of Scotch to settle upon these newly created farms.  The superior knowledge, industry, and temperance of the Scotch farmers in a very short time enabled them to supplant the natives of the region.  But they continued to be treated as aliens and strangers by the native population.  So, when the possibility of coming to America became reality, large numbers migrated to America and many of them came into Pennsylvania and the Cumberland Valley.

For some strange reason, probably from a regard to convenience, nearly all of the early Presbyterian Churches of the Cumberland Valley were erected near a spring or a stream of water and from their location they received their name.  It is difficult to determine why it was that Middle Spring received its name; as a guess, it may be accounted for by the equal distance of its position from Big Spring on the east and Rocky Spring on the West, with the congregation of each of which it was originally connected as a pastoral charge.  The record of the Middle Spring Church goes back to 1742, this making it the oldest church in our immediate community, two miles northeast of Shippensburg.

The earliest effort to organize a congregation in Shippensburg itself, however, was made by the Episcopalians, Mr. Edward Shippen and his son-in-law, James Burd, who were both members of the Anglican Church of that denomination.  There being so few Episcopalian families to give support to this endeavor, it failed.

As already noted, most of the people in the town in its early years were Scotch-Irish.  As Presbyterians many of them helped to establish and attended the Middle Spring Presbyterian Church.  However, a few Presbyterians of Shippensburg worshiped in the Associated Reformed Church at Big Spring.  In time, a desire began to develop to organize a congregation in Shippensburg.  The exact date when the Shippensburg group was organized is impossible to say, but it was established under the Associate Reformed Presbyterian group.  For a number of years it was part of the Big Spring Congregation.  Mr. Edward Shippen made a grant of land to the Presbyterians, situated where the Municipal Building now stands, on the northwest corner of King and Prince Streets.  Here the first church building was erected in Shippensburg in 1768.

This church was used very little and through neglect it became dilapidated.  Many of the town people continued to attend their mother churches in Middle Spring or Big Spring.  Their friends and relatives attended these old churches, and home ties were not easily broken.

The second Presbyterian Church in Shippensburg was under the care of the Second Presbytery of Philadelphia, in connection with the Associate Reformed Synod.  It was built in 1798 on the east side of South Penn Street (which was then named Washington) between King and Orange Streets.  It was a stone house of worship, which was plastered and was generally known as the "White Church."  For a number of years the Reverend Mr. Walker was its pastor.  He was followed by the Reverend Mr. Strong.  As the result of the "Union of 1822" the Presbyterian Church ofShippensburg came under the Presbytery of Carlisle.  The congregation continued to occupy and use the building erected in 1798.  In 1823, the Reverend Mr. Henry R. Wilson was called and during his ministry the church enjoyed considerable growth.  He was indefatigable and abundant in labor.  The Reverend Mr. James Harper succeeded Dr. Wilson in 1840.

While Mr. Harper was minister, the church property was brought into litigation.  The old church building was claimed by the few Associated Reformed members still remaining in the town.  A lawsuit was brought by them to establish their exclusive right to the stone church building.  They were successful in their efforts.  The stones from this old building are now in the foundation of the house which stands on the southwest corner of South Prince and Orange Streets.

The Presbyterian Congregation then purchased a lot on the southwest corner of Prince and King Streets and erected in 1843 a comfortable and substantial brick church 46 x 60 feet.  To meet the demands of the growing congregation twenty-two feet were added to the length of this church in 1866.  It had a beautiful spire, visible from all approaches to the town.

While most of the early settlers were Scotch-Irish and Presbyterian, there were a few Germans who found their way into the valley.  As years passed their numbers increased and ultimately surpassed those of other nationalities.  These German pioneers were either descendants of immigrant parents or were banished themselves from their home in Europe by a series of horrible persecutions because they would not bow down and acknowledge the supremacy of the Pope.  They fled their homeland and came to America, and a few very early found their way into the Cumberland Valley to seek peaceful homes where they could enjoy freedom of conscience and religious liberty.  It was to be from descendants of these people that the United Brethren church was ultimately to come.

Most of the German speaking people in Shippensburg and the nearby area belonged to a branch of the Reformed Protestantism which originated in Switzerland under the leadership of Zwingli and Calvin.  They belonged to the same family of churches as the Presbyterian Church in the United States.  At first, because they were so few, they no doubt associated themselves with the Presbyterians.

However, as their numbers increased, they organized their own churches.  The Reformed Church was organized, and the first minister, Reverend John Conrad Bucher, came in 1764.  The worshippers gathered at first in private homes and later in a small building located on the southwest corner of Queen and Orange Streets.

The second church building to be erected in Shippensburg was erected jointly by the Lutheran and Reformed people.  By joining their resources they were able to build a house of worship in which both congregations could worship.

The contract of agreement (4 pages) between the two groups regulating the affairs of the church as an organization is written in German and is dated September 9, 1778.  Each congregation was to have a suitable minister -- no minister to be allowed to preach besides the ones selected.  Each congregation was to elect three elders and three deacons, and these six were to constitute a church council.  Both congregations were to contribute equally toward the church incidentals.  If at any time, one of the congregations should desire to build a church of their own, the standing church should be valued by uninterested carpenters and the half of this should be paid the congregation desiring to build.

This church was built in 1778 during the ministry of the Reverend John William Runkle.  It was a log church, erected on the southwest corner of Queen and Orange Streets.  This lot was used also as a burial ground by the Reformeds and Lutherans before the church was erected.  This church building was used until 1812.

At first only Reformed ministers served this Union Congregation.   The first minister to serve in the new church was the Reverend Mr. John William Runkle (1776-1781).  The first Lutheran minister, Mr. John George Butler, did not come until 1788.

In addition to the Reverend Mr. Runkle the Reverend Mr. John Christopher Faber served 1781-1786; Cyriacus Spangenberg Von Reidemeister 1786-1788; John Philip Stock 1792-1800; and James or Jacob Hoffman 1807-1823.  It was during the latter's pastorate that the lot of ground on which the United Church of Christ (Reformed) Church now stands was purchased.  The deed bears the date May 29, 1809.  It was given and granted to the Reformed and Lutheran congregations by Edward Burd.  The said congregations were to pay to Edward Burd, or to his heirs, the yearly rent of one cent forever.  The two congregations worshiped in the old log church until 1811, when the new church was built.  The new church was of brick and had a tower with a bell in it so that for many years, this being the only bell in town, the church became known as the "Bell Church."

The Reverend Mr. Hoffman served the Reformed group until 1823.  We learn from a private letter, written by the Lutheran pastor, the Reverend Mr. Nicholas J. Stroh, to a member of the Lutheran congregation that following Hoffman's pastorate a strong desire was expressed by both Reformed and Lutherans to have a resident pastor.  Since neither could afford or support one by themselves, they agreed to unite and to employ the services of either a Lutheran or a Reformed minister conjointly.  The result of a convention, called to decide the matter, was the election and call of the Reverend Mr. Henry Habliston (Hobelstein) 1824-1828, of the Reformed Church.  He was somewhat of an eccentric character who came under the influence of the Reverend Mr. John Wienbrenner, a Reformed minister of Harrisburg.  Weinbrenner writes, "I had been Christened in infancy, later catechized and confirmed, received the training of the church and of different schools, and all the formalities of religion as taught by the Reformed Church had been attended to."  Even so he felt that there was something lacking in his life, something that was necessary
to fully equip him for the great work before him.  On Easter Sunday 1817 he had a new experience, "The Son of Righteousness arose with healing in his wings."  This experience was very much the same as that experienced by Philip Otterbein, the founder of the United Brethren Church.  Weinbrenner found Christ as his personal Saviour.  He says, "In consequence of these experiences, I was brought to conceive the errors of the Church, in her ministry and membership."  This led to a more careful study of the Scripture, and this in turn led to a change in views in relation to the subject of baptism, confirmation, feet washing, church titles, government, discipline, and came to be referred to as "Experimental Religion."

Weinbrenner's revival activities were at their height from 1825-1830.  (He was ousted from his church in Harrisburg in 1823, and he was dismissed from the synod in 1828).  The influence of his experience and activities reached from Harrisburg as a center through the entire country side.  Many ministers were favorable to his revivalistic method which was the main point of divergence from the Reformed Church; the Reverend Habliston (Habelstein) was one of these ministers.  In The Autobiography of Reverend Samuel Huber we read about Mr. Henry Clippinger, in relating to him his experience:  "I was a member of a certain church of Shippensburg, and being an Elder in it, I considered myself a pretty good Christian.  At one time I went to hear Reverend Mr. Habliston (Habelstein) preach.
I paid great attention to what he said."

These moral phenomena being new and strange to the people of the congregation, intense excitement and vehement opposition ensued.  Uneasiness and distraction developed in both the Lutheran and Reformed congregations.  Unfortunately many held themselves aloof from Worship and Church work, and still others united with other denominations.  Finally opposition became so intense that the doors of the church were closed against the Reverend Mr. Habliston (Habelstein) and his "Experimental Religion."  He withdrew with some members of both congregations and began to meet in private homes.

Finally the so called "Fanatics" met October 13, 1828, and entered into an organization called the "Union Christian Church," (now First Church of God), and adopted a constitution for their government.  No creeds, no dogmas; "The Word" only was to be their guide.  This constitution was signed by the church officers as follows:  Elders:  John Heck, Jacob Dewalt, John Blymeyer; Deacons:  David Wagnor, Michael Ziegler, Henry Keefer, and John Faughenbaugh; Trustees:  Jacob Kinsley, John
Carey.

One clause in this constitution provided that no minister should be
called who was known to be a Free Mason; also that preaching should be done one-half the time in English, the other in German.

We read in The Autobiography of Reverend Samuel Huber (an early minister of our Evangelical United Brethren denomination), "I preached to the Winebrennerians in Shippensburg every four weeks -- for one year.  At one of these appointments Reverend Helfenstein, of the German Reformed Church preached at the 10:00 o'clock, A. M.  Brother Mull requested me to preach in the evening; but as there were more English than German hearers, Helfenstein preached.  I exhorted in German.  Helfenstein then invited mourners to the altar.  Five came forward.  Singing and prayer were continued.  Some of the mourners got blest.  We had a good meeting.  After it closed, I rode home that night, a distance of ten miles."  (Huber
lived in Chambersburg.)

The group met in private homes until 1828 when they built a church on the north side of East Main Street.  The Reverend John Rebo took charge of the congregation, April 1, 1828, and under his direction the church was built.  According to local tradition the First Church of God was dedicated October 27, 1828.  The Reverend Rebo was assisted by other ministers of the town -- Reverends McLane, Moody, Wilson, and Brown.  The cost of the church building was $1,900.

However, we read in The Life and Journal of Reverend Christian Newcomer (one of the early preachers and bishops of the Evangelical United Brethren Church):  "This day (October 25, 1828) I rode to Shippensburg, a new meeting house was dedicated to the Lord; Brother Wm. Brum, Griffith, and a Presbyterian minister were present.  Sunday (October) 26, 1828 -- This forenoon Brother Brown preached first in the German language, from Psalms 22:25, 26.  Brother Griffith followed him in English language, the Presbyterian minister preached in the afternoon" -- (note:  these dates differ by one day with the dates listed in local Church of God
history).

While the Church of God was an independent church, it was supplied with ministers who were associated with the Winebrennarian movement -- ministers being:  Reverend Mr. Deitrich Graves -- March 1833; Elder James Mackey, April 1, 1834; Elder John C. Owens, 1846; Elder J. Flake, 1848 (two months); Elder James Mackey, 1848; Elder William Mooney, 1852; Elder John C. Owens, 1855; Elder Thomas Deshierey, April 1, 1858; Elder H. L. Soule, 1860; Elder Jacob Soule, April 1, 1864; Elder Carlton Price, 1865-1869.

On June 15, 1862, the members of the Church of God decided to build a new church.  The old building was finally torn down in 1869, and the old lot was used for the new church.  The new church was dedicated in October, 1870, at a cost of $17,500.

After Reverend Mr. Habliston was locked out of the Reformed and Lutheran Church, the Reformed congregation called Reverend Mr. Frederick A. Rahauser, 1828-1836; Reverend Mr. William C. Bennett, 1837-1838; Reverend Mr. A. H. Kremer, 1839-1845; and Reverend Mr. John S. Foulk, 1846-1850.  During the Reverend Mr. Foulk's pastorate the Lutheran members withdrew and began to worship in their own building on the corner of Orange and Penn Streets.  Their building was dedicated in 1846 and was to serve the congregation for nearly forty years.  It was considered a splendid edifice, one of the largest, if not the largest, in town.  The Reformed congregation proceeded to build in 1849.  (The church building is now owned and used by the Christian Missionary Alliance).  The Reverend Mr. G. W. Glessner came in
1851-1856; Reverend Mr. F. A. Rupley, 1857-1860; Rev. A. S. Vanghan, 1861-1863; and Reverend Jacob Hessler, 1863-1869, was pastor of the Reformed Church, the year Messiah Evangelical United Brethren Congregation was established.

The Lutheran congregation that worshipped with the Reformed congregation in the old Log Church on the corner of Orange and Queen Streets was listed as founded in 1771 by the Central Pennsylvania Synod.  We know for sure that this congregation existed before June 12, 1775, since on that date a record book was purchased by the congregation.

The first Lutheran pastor for the Lutheran congregation in Shippensburg, who also served the Lutheran Church in Carlisle was Reverend Mr. Jacob Goering.  His ministry was interrupted between the years of 1779 and 1781, during which time Reverend Mr. J. G. Young filled in the interval.  The second pastor was Reverend Mr. George Butler, 1783-1787; Reverend Mr. A. U. Iutge, 1787-1797; Reverend Mr. John Plitt, 1797-1799; Reverend Mr. F. W. Jasinsky, 1799-1802; Reverend Mr. John F. Miller, 1802-1829; Reverend Mr. Nicholas J. Strok, 1830-1835; Reverend Mr. David Smith, 1839-1842; Reverend Mr. J. T. Williams, 1843-1849; Reverend Dr. Benjamin Sadtler, 1849-1852; Reverend Dr.  Jacob Steck, 1853-1855; Reverend Mr. John Ulrich, 1855-1859; Reverend Dr. L. A. Gottwald, 1859-1863; and in 1863 Reverend Dr. C. L. Ebrenfeld was called and was pastor when the United Brethren Church was founded in 1866.

Up to 1787 the only established churches in the community were the Presbyterian and the Reformed.  These groups were democratic in government but aristocratic in theology.  There was an increasing number of people in the community who did not feel at home or possibly even welcome in these established churches.  Without a doubt the Reverends John Hagerty and Nelson Reed were welcomed in 1787 when they introduced the Methodist Church into Shippensburg.  Methodism, though its government was vested in a superintendent with autocratic powers, was democratic in its faith and held a warm welcome to the poor and unfortunate.  The Methodists were very much like the United Brethren Church in government and both groups had a natural inclination to express their religion emotionally.

The first Shippensburg Methodist Episcopal Church was built in 1790.  It was a log building capable of seating about two hundred persons.  This was without a doubt the oldest Methodist Episcopal Church in the Cumberland Valley.  By the year 1806 the church was growing and in fine condition and had become a prominent appointment of a large circuit known as the Harrisburg District.

The first Methodist Camp Meeting held in this part of the United States took place near Shippensburg on land owned by Abraham Hostetter, Esq., in 1810.  The Reverend James Reed was the preacher in charge.  He was roughed up by a group who attempted to disturb the meeting and received a severe cut on his face and hands.

The second Methodist Episcopal Church at Shippensburg was built in 1825 to take the place of the Log Church.  The new structure was 40 x 55 feet, one story brick.  The Reverend Alfred Griffin preached at the laying of the cornerstone and the Reverend Nicholis Sneethin preached at the dedication of the church.  This church, located on Orange Street, was to remain in use until 1872 when the church was relocated to its present site on King Street.  The church on Orange Street until recently was used by the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Congregation.

When the Methodist Protestant Church was organized in 1828, the
result of the Radical controversy, about one third of the membership of the Shippensburg Methodist Episcopal Church withdrew and formed the Methodist Protestant Church.  However, in a few years the church failed -- a few returned to the M. E. Church, but many left the denomination and joined other churches of the community.

Six years after the United Brethren Church was started (1866), during the pastorate of W. C. Hesser the Methodists built a new church.  A vote taken in April, 1872, gave final approval to leave the Orange Street location, a spot sacred with the associations of about eighty years.  A lot was purchased on King Street, the cost being $3,850, and work was started in April, 1872.

Even though there was no United Brethren Church in Shippensburg before 1866, our early leaders were very active in and around the town.  One of the circuit riders, Christian Newcomer, who began his circuit riding about the time of the Revolutionary War, blazed new trails through the wilderness, traveling thousands upon thousands of miles on horseback, up and down the Cumberland and Shenandoah Valleys, out into Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and even, on occasion, into Canada.  He preached somewhere almost every night and when opportunity permitted, he would also hold day-time meetings.

A minister of unfailing energy, courage and purpose, Bishop Christian Newcomer crossed the Allegheny Mountains thirty-eight times on horseback, making his last trip in his eighty-first year.  On these trips he faced not only the hardships of the wilderness but the perils of the ignorant, brutal mobs who sought to break up his meetings.  The diary which he kept during the last thirty-five years of his ministry tells much about his activities.

Bishop Newcomer resolved that he should visit the Cumberland Circuit twice yearly.  This territory covered Cumberland, York, and Adams counties.  The size of his territory can be better understood through the fact that he preached in a different place each night, and it took a full six months to cover the circuit.  He records in his Journal at least 27 times about being in or through Shippensburg.  It might be of interest to this history to note a few of the more important notations.

The first mention in his Journal of Shippensburg was October 5, 1797.  "This day we (George Adam Geeting and himself) traveled through Shippensburg and Carlisle."  For February 3, 1798, we read, "This day I came through Shippensburg and Newville to brother David Snyder's; the appointment (to preach) which I had sent had not arrived; therefore, hearing that a Mennonite meeting was appointed in the neighborhood, I attended the same."  Sunday, 4th, "On my arrival this morning at the meeting house, the preacher requested me to preach in his place.  In the afternoon I preached at widow Baer's."  The 5th, "This day I visited several families in these parts, and stayed again at Mr. Snyder's.  (David Snyder's about 3 miles Northeast of Newville along the Conodoguinet Creek)."

He records in his Journal for February 8, 1798.  "This day I came to Shippensburg and preached to about fifty attentive hearers in the school house, from Peter 4:17-18.  The landlord with whom I had slept and left my horse, invited me to dine with him, but I had already engaged to dine with a Mr. Kearns, a saddler by trade, and a pious and religious character; he related to me that his Lutheran brethren were very much concerned on his  account, because as they expressed themselves, he had fallen from, or denied the faith, being totally blind in things pertaining to religion, and ignorant of the work of grace, wrought by the Spirit of God in the Soul."  At the same time, added he, "I also like the rest of my brethren, think highly of you and of your religious proficiency.  But when it pleased God to open my eyes, I perceived that I was on the broad road to Hell, yea verily almost in the Jaws of eternal death."

June 15, 1798 -- To-day, we came through Shippensburg; here we met with Brother the (Reverend) John Hershey, he being on his way home from Niagara County; we rode this afternoon to Greencastle and stayed for the night with J. A. January 25, 1799 -- I rode yet to one Christian Huber within two miles of Shippensburg, where I tarried for the night.  (Rockey Springs) January 26th -- I rested here, felt poor in spirit.  January 27th, This forenoon I preached in a school house; had a numerous and attentive congregation.  After preaching the people thanked me cordially, and requested me to visit them again before long.
   
September 15, 1799 -- returned to Brother Sneider's, and tarried for the night.  16th -- I preached in Shippensburg.
   
May 19, 1801 -- We (Geeting and Newcomer) rode from Carlisle to Shippensburg, and preached in the Methodist meeting house to a numerous congregation.  The people here are warmly engaged; they did sing and praise the Lord with all their powers of soul and body.
   
August 7, 1801 -- This day I preached in Shippensburg in the English language; went home with a Mr. Roth, and stayed for the night.  8th -- Today I attended a funeral; thence came to Brother David Snyder's.
   
March 2, 1802 -- This day I set off on the Cumberland Circuit; came to Christian Koenig's; stayed for the night at P. N.'s.  3rd -- This day in the forenoon at 10 o'clock I preached at J. B.'s; at night at M. Wenger's.  4th -- Today I spoke at E.  At night in Shippensburg from Hebrews 12:7, 8.  5th -- at widow Baer's.
   
September 30, 1802 -- This day we had a Sacramental meeting (Communion) at Sneider's; at night I preached in the Methodist meeting house in Shippensburg.
   
October 2, 1804 -- I came to Shippensburg, and I attended the funeral of a brother who had left this world with joy.  Here I also met with Mr. Draksel and his family on their way to Westmoreland.  At night I reached Brother David Snyder's where our Annual Conference is appointed.
   
April 16, 1805 -- We (Lorenzo Dow, a Methodist, and Newcomer) came to Shippensburg; here he preached with such liberty and power, that I was astonished.  I exhorted after him; the word spoken made uncommon impression; some were convicted and cried for mercy, others prayed for sanctification, and some shouted for joy.  This meeting continued till late in the night.  I stayed with Brother Walls.
   
May 18, 1806 -- Rode in the afternoon to Shippensburg, and lodged with Brother Davis.
   
November 28, 1810 -- Preached at Roth's.  29th -- This forenoon I preached at John Meyer's; at night at Sheibly's near Shippensburg.
   
November 20, 1813 -- This day we took refreshment at Abraham Meyer's, and rode to David Sneider's.  21st -- We had a meeting in Shippensburg; staid for the night at Sheibly's.
   
November 8, 1825 -- We preached in Shippensburg and lodged with Mr. Blaymeyer.
   
July 26, 1826 -- We had a Sacramental meeting in Shippensburg.
   
October 8, 1826 -- I attended Camp Meeting near Shippensburg and lodged with Bleymeyer.
   
February 30, 1827 -- I came to Shippensburg and lodged with Bleymeyer.
   
October 25, 1828 -- I rode to Shippensburg, meeting house was dedicated to the Lord.
   
December 7, 1828 -- I attended a sacramental meeting (Communion) in Shippensburg; we had a precious season, many drew nigh to the table of the Lord with streaming eyes and contrite hearts.
   

Without a doubt, preachers from the United Brethren Church continued to visit and preach here.  But for lack of records we cannot be sure.  However, we are aware of United Brethren activity in the communities around Shippensburg.  The United Brethren Church in Oakville was started in 1816; at Snyders -- 1818; Chambersburg -- 1822; Fayetteville -- 1826; Upper Strasburg -- 1833; Dallastown -- 1838; Marion -- 1842; Carlisle -- 1843; Otterbein -- 1845; Newburg -- 1848; Mt. Tabor -- 1876; and Hopewell -- 1879.

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