Schaefferstown Mennonite Church, (2016)
Source: Lester M. Burkholder
Schaefferstown Mennonite Church Information
We would love if you came to visit and join us for a worship service!
Address: 625 N. Market Street, Myerstown, PA 17067
Phone: 717-949-2310
We would love if you came to visit and join us for a worship service!
- Sunday Morning Worship 9:00AM
- Evening Service: 4th Sunday 7:30PM
- Prayer Meeting 1st & 3rd Wednesday 7:30PM
- Cottage Meeting: 2nd Wednesday
- Songbooks: Zion's Praises & Christian Hymnal
Address: 625 N. Market Street, Myerstown, PA 17067
Phone: 717-949-2310
Schaefferstown Mennonite Church History
The Schaefferstown Mennonite Church had its beginnings in the Millbach Meeting House in 1981 near Newmanstown, Pennsylvania when Bishop Earl Horst and Minister Edwin Gehman, along with 53 members, withdrew from the Eastern Pennsylvania Mennonite Church (EPMC). The first Schaefferstown meeting house was constructed in the winter of 1982-1983. The first service in the Schaefferstown building was held on 27 February 1983 with 109 attendees. Although the congregation was commonly referred to as Schaefferstown, its official name was Hope Mennonite Fellowship until the year 2000. The name Hope Mennonite Fellowship (HMF) slowly evolved into a group name rather than a congregational name as more congregations were added to HMF.
In December 1981, Elvin Horst was ordained as the first deacon for the Schaefferstown and Muddy Creek congregations. Elvin was subsequently ordained minister in 1986, and bishop in 1989. In June 1983, James Weaver was ordained minister for Schaefferstown. He later served the HMF congregations at Muddy Creek (2004–2009) and Allegheny Valley (2009–present). David G. Martin, ordained in 1995, transferred to serve as deacon at Rehrersburg in 2002. Others who have faithfully served in the ministry at Schaefferstown are listed in the table below.
Early in the morning of 1 April 2000, a fire completely destroyed the original Schaefferstown church building. That story is told in the book Tried by Fire, a photographic journal of the fire and subsequent rebuilding project. No definite cause of the fire has ever been determined. On 17 September 2000, the congregation met for their first service in the newly constructed building on the same site as the original building. The new building included an additional extension on the southeast side of the building to provide accessibility for handicapped persons.
This congregation has been the source of members for the establishment of the Cocolamus, Rehrersburg, and Allentown congregations of HMF. They have contributed much in finances and personnel for the HMF city mission in Allentown and for the services in the Lehigh County Prison in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Hope Christian School stands on the same property as the Schaefferstown Mennonite Church and serves this congregation. The school provides grades one through twelve to approximately 70 students.
In December 1981, Elvin Horst was ordained as the first deacon for the Schaefferstown and Muddy Creek congregations. Elvin was subsequently ordained minister in 1986, and bishop in 1989. In June 1983, James Weaver was ordained minister for Schaefferstown. He later served the HMF congregations at Muddy Creek (2004–2009) and Allegheny Valley (2009–present). David G. Martin, ordained in 1995, transferred to serve as deacon at Rehrersburg in 2002. Others who have faithfully served in the ministry at Schaefferstown are listed in the table below.
Early in the morning of 1 April 2000, a fire completely destroyed the original Schaefferstown church building. That story is told in the book Tried by Fire, a photographic journal of the fire and subsequent rebuilding project. No definite cause of the fire has ever been determined. On 17 September 2000, the congregation met for their first service in the newly constructed building on the same site as the original building. The new building included an additional extension on the southeast side of the building to provide accessibility for handicapped persons.
This congregation has been the source of members for the establishment of the Cocolamus, Rehrersburg, and Allentown congregations of HMF. They have contributed much in finances and personnel for the HMF city mission in Allentown and for the services in the Lehigh County Prison in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Hope Christian School stands on the same property as the Schaefferstown Mennonite Church and serves this congregation. The school provides grades one through twelve to approximately 70 students.
As of January 2023, Schaefferstown had a membership of 117.
Ministry
Elvin Horst -- Bishop
(Ordained Deacon 12/20/81, Minister 07/13/86, Bishop 12/09/89)
Nevin Zimmerman -- Minister
(Ordained 05/13/06)
Matthew Weaver -- Minister
(Ordained 12/16/16)
Earl Horning -- Deacon
(Ordained 10/19/12)
Elijah Brubaker -- Deacon
(Ordained 02/05/21)
Marlin Martin -- Inactive
Elvin Horst -- Bishop
(Ordained Deacon 12/20/81, Minister 07/13/86, Bishop 12/09/89)
Nevin Zimmerman -- Minister
(Ordained 05/13/06)
Matthew Weaver -- Minister
(Ordained 12/16/16)
Earl Horning -- Deacon
(Ordained 10/19/12)
Elijah Brubaker -- Deacon
(Ordained 02/05/21)
Marlin Martin -- Inactive