Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church

History of Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elliottsburg, PA

As early as 1780, a number of German-speaking people settled in what is now known as Little Germany.  They felt that it was necessary to have a school for the education of their children.  A school house was erected by Henry Ludolph Spark, a German schoolmaster of the Lutheran faith.  Sometimes he preached and administered baptism in the community.  He also taught the children for a time until his death.  Upon his death, he bequeathed his land, seventeen acres, to be used for school purposes.

After Mr. Spark’s death, Mr. Isaac Carl taught school for some twenty years and the school house became known as Carl’s School House.  It was a log building including the dwelling house of the teacher under the same roof.

In 1790, the Rev. John Timothy Kuhl, an Evangelical Lutheran minister, moved into Sherman’s Valley and became the first pastor of the Lutheran group.  They held services in Carl’s School House.  This was the beginning of our congregation and worship services.

In 1831, a second building was erected at almost the same location.  (It’s not entirely clear whether this was in addition to Carl’s School House or because of the demise of Carl’s School House.)  As early as 1837, this school house was also used as a preaching station.  The Rev. John William Heim of the Lutheran faith and the Rev. Jacob Scholl of the Reformed faith held services there.

The Rev. Heim held services in Carl’s School House for a number of years.  Rev. Heim was a circuit-riding minister and held services at churches, schools and homes throughout Perry County.  The Rev. Heim was called the “Father of Lutheranism” in the county.  He encouraged the people to organize a church. 

Ludolph's Church

Ludolph’s Church
In 1840, a stone church was built on the land given by Henry Ludolph Spark, and was known as “Ludolph” Church in his honor.  It was a union church, used by the Evangelical Lutheran and the Evangelical Reformed denominations.  Rev. Leinbach was then the Reformed minister.  Each group met on alternate Sundays.  The Constitution was adopted on May 20, 1841.  These were the first two meeting places of this congregation. During this time, more people were settling in the village of Elliottsburg and many of the members of the congregation were residents there.  In 1868, the Lutheran congregation decided that they would build a church and locate it in Elliottsburg.  This congregation was incorporated on January 7, 1867. On March 30, 1868, one-half acre of land was acquired from W.S. Snyder for the price of $125.00 to use for church and burial purposes.  An additional one-quarter acre was purchased from Jacob Dum on April 24, 1869, for $62.50.

The cornerstone laying ceremony was held in May 1868 in the barn of Thomas Gray (the barn just east of the current location of the church), with the Rev. Peter Sahm officiating.

The contract price of the original building was $3,350.00.  The contractor was Abram W. Kistler, who worked under direction of the building committee consisting of Henry Fleisher and Michael Noll, Jr.  The congregation kept the name “Ludolph” and the new church was known as the Ludolph Evangelical Lutheran Church.

We who worship here today appreciate our inheritance.  The early German settlers, as well as the faithful workers, by their faith and love of God, felt the need of a building in which to worship.  Their purpose was to serve God and His Kingdom.  This remains the purpose of Messiah today.  May it continue in this purpose of faith.