The first school and church was a log building used by Scotch-Irish Presbyterians and English Episcopalians and later the German Lutheran and Reformed congregations. The building was built sometime between 1765 and 1794 on property owned by Joseph and Hanna Berryhill. The land was later sold to Francis Wenrich and in 1793 he deeded the land to all four congregations. The church became known as Wenrich’s Church.
The second church building, known “the block church,” was used from 1794 to 1857 with the name Mt. Zion Evangelical Lutheran & Reformed Church.
The cornerstone for the third and present sanctuary was laid in 1856. The building was built by German Reformed and Lutheran congregations. The building was yellow at first, then painted red and then white. In 1892 the building went through extensive renovations.
In 1939, the German Reformed Church merged with the Evangelical Synod of North American and the church became known as Wenrich’s Evangelical and Reformed Church.
The Lutheran congregation withdrew from the church in 1952. and in 1956, the remaining congregation chose a contemporary name, St. Thomas Evangelical and Reformed Church, a nod to the original name of Linglestown, The Towne of St. Thomas. In 1957, the church became part of United
Church of Christ during a national merger. The church then became St. Thomas United Church of Christ. The east Education wing was added in 1959. In 1981-82 that wing was renovated and the west wing was added. The foyer on the south side of the building was added in 2000.
Extensions were added to the east and west wings in 2008-2009.
An artist’s rendition of the first school and church on the Joseph and Hanna Berryhill property.
The building was used by Scotch-Irish Presbyterians and English Episcopalians, and later the
German Lutheran and Reformed congregations. The property was sold to Francis Wenrich who
deeded the property to all four congregations in 1793. Although an exact date is not known, it is
believed the building was used between 1765-1794.
The cornerstone of this building was laid in 1856. It was completed in 1857 and is the base of the current sanctuary.
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