Cocolamus Mennonite Church, (2016)
Source: Lester M. Burkholder
Cocolamus Mennonite Church Information
- Sunday Morning Worship 9:00AM
- Evening Service: 3rd Sunday 7:00PM
- Prayer Meeting 1st & 3rd Wednesday 7:00PM
- Cottage Meeting: 1st Sunday
- Songbooks: Zion's Praises, Christian Hymnal & Hymns of the Church
Address: 21 Bunkertown Road, McAlisterville, PA 17049
Phone: 717-539-3154
Conference Line 717-539-0028
Phone: 717-539-3154
Conference Line 717-539-0028
Cocolamus Mennonite Church History
The Schaefferstown Mennonite Church, a congregation of Hope Mennonite Fellowship(HFM), at Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania had filled its building in the late 1980s. The congregation purchased a house in Port Royal, Pennsylvania and began holding Sunday services there in 1991 with Leon Horning serving as deacon. In August 1992, Stephen Miller was ordained as the first resident minister and served until he resigned in July 1995 to return to the Baptist church. Norman Bange served as interim pastor until December 1996 when Harlan Martin was ordained as minister. In April 2000, Joel Landis was ordained deacon.
In 2002, the Port Royal congregation purchased a church house from the Bunkertown Church of the Brethren near Cocolamus and changed their congregational name to Cocolamus Mennonite Church. J. Elvin Horst served as bishop at Port Royal and Cocolamus until Bernell Zimmerman was ordained bishop in 2005. They shared bishop responsibilities at Cocolamus for several years.
In 2008, Deacon Joel Landis was ordained minister, and James Shirk was ordained deacon the following year to replace Landis as deacon. When the Cocolamus congregation filled to capacity, James Shirk transferred to the newly formed HMF congregation at Troxelville; Gerald High was then ordained deacon in 2013 for Cocolamus. In February 2016, David Miller was ordained as minister for the Cocolamus congregation.
In 2016 the Cocolamus congregation participated in regular services in three different prisons and two retirement villages. The Cocolamus and Troxelville HMF congregations joined efforts in conducting a youth chorus that provided musical programs in various retirement homes, prisons, and a shopping mall.
The Cocolamus Christian School began in September 2001 in the former Mountain View schoolhouse in Evendale, Pennsylvania. Since September 2002 it has offered grades one through nine in the upstairs of the Cocolamus Mennonite Church.
In 2002, the Port Royal congregation purchased a church house from the Bunkertown Church of the Brethren near Cocolamus and changed their congregational name to Cocolamus Mennonite Church. J. Elvin Horst served as bishop at Port Royal and Cocolamus until Bernell Zimmerman was ordained bishop in 2005. They shared bishop responsibilities at Cocolamus for several years.
In 2008, Deacon Joel Landis was ordained minister, and James Shirk was ordained deacon the following year to replace Landis as deacon. When the Cocolamus congregation filled to capacity, James Shirk transferred to the newly formed HMF congregation at Troxelville; Gerald High was then ordained deacon in 2013 for Cocolamus. In February 2016, David Miller was ordained as minister for the Cocolamus congregation.
In 2016 the Cocolamus congregation participated in regular services in three different prisons and two retirement villages. The Cocolamus and Troxelville HMF congregations joined efforts in conducting a youth chorus that provided musical programs in various retirement homes, prisons, and a shopping mall.
The Cocolamus Christian School began in September 2001 in the former Mountain View schoolhouse in Evendale, Pennsylvania. Since September 2002 it has offered grades one through nine in the upstairs of the Cocolamus Mennonite Church.
In January 2023, Cocolamus had 79 members.
Ministry
Gerald High -- Bishop
(Ordained Deacon 06/30/13, Bishop 12/10/16)
Joel Landis -- Minister
(Ordained Deacon 04/29/00, Minister 05/23/08)
Wesley Martin -- Minister
(Ordained Deacon 06/24/17; Ordained Minister 06/11/21)
Evan Burkholder -- Deacon
(Ordained 12/10/21)