Our church picnic is scheduled for September 22. On that day, we will also be celebrating the 50th anniversary of worshiping our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, at our current location.
In light of this special occasion, I wanted to share a nugget of history with you all. This is what was published in Bible Fellowship News in March 1975 concerning our newly built church:
“Faith Church, located at 675 Woodland View Drive, in the Hayshire area, dedicated their new edifice, December 28. Pastor James G. Koch, a former pastor from 1956 to 1962, delivered the dedication sermon. Also, participating in the service were Pastors Robert W. Smock, John Dunn, R.C. Reichenbach, Terris Byrd, William A Heffner, and W.W. Hartman. The service was under the direction of the pastor of the church, John Henry Riggall.
“The new church and new parsonage stand on five acres of land previously owned by Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd E. Rishel, members of the congregation, who donated this portion of the land to the church.
“The sanctuary, with overflow area, will seat 600 people, and the Sunday school facilities will accommodate 500 people.
“The building of the Church and parsonage was constructed at a cost of $353,000.00. The land is valued at $30,000.00. The Abram Horst Co. of New Holland, Pa., was the builder.
“Faith Church will celebrate their 60th anniversary this summer. The first building of worship was located on East Princess Street until 1955, when the church relocated to the building at Sixth and Duke Streets in North York. They moved into their new facilities on November 15.
“Dedication Services continued on the following day, December 29, with former pastor Rev. Russell T. Allen as the speaker in the morning worship and Pastor William A. Heffner, a former pastor’s son, as the speaker in the evening. “
I can’t help but think, as I read that, how wonderful and faithful our God truly is. Therefore, I want to lovingly encourage you all to join us after the service on September 22 for our church picnic, during which we will celebrate our 50th anniversary of worshiping our faithful God at 675 Woodland View Drive.
- Pastor Wes Bunting