It was during the year of 1835 that the Rev. Jacob Burkhart came to the community of Terre Hill to preach the Gospel, through the ministry of the Word, in what was then known as Clauser's Woods. An early writer states concerning his preaching, "Out there under the canopy of heaven, surrounded by stately virgin oaks, stood God's messenger preaching the Gospel with such power and in the demonstration of the Spirit, that conversions soon followed." We who meet here today are the inheritors of this "great preaching." We are indebted to the leaders of the early church for our heritage. By the year 1838, a class was organized, and the Sunday School was also formed. It was said of this time: "During these years a great transformation took place in the hearts and lives of many. There were many crying, 'What must I do to be saved?' Still houses were closed, profanity greatly modified and Sabbath desecration retarded." During the year 1841 the first Church was erected. An interesting incident occurred in connection with the property rights. The land had not been purchased upon which the Church stood until 1842. The deed is dated, November 18, 1842. The total property limits was for 110 perches of land and bought for the price of $61.87. The first Church was a great "attraction to the community," being the first one in the vicinity. Previous to its erection, the services of the "pioneers of our faith" were held in barns and school-houses, Phares Martin's barn being one of these. During the year 1875 the parsonage, a well constructed eight room house, was built for the convenience of the minister and his family, east of the Church. On the night of April 19th, 1882, the first church, a stone structure measuring 35 feet by 45 feet, was struck by lightning and burned to the ground. In spite of the fact that the building was insured for only $1800, it was decided that a new Church must be built as soon as possible. The size of the new building, also made of stone, was 42 feet by 70 feet. The building was dedicated "to the glory of God" on February 18, 1883, by Bishop Thomas Bowman. The cost of the building amounted to about $12,000. During the next years, many souls were added to the fellowship of the Church so that by the year 1894 the membership totalled 518. A schism in the denomination (the Evangelical Association of North America) resulted in a separation among many congregations in 1894. St. Paul's was affected by this division. Trinity Evangelical Congregational Church in Terre Hill was founded by members who withdrew from the St. Paul's Congregation. In 1922 the Evangelical Association merged with the United Evangelical Church to form the Evangelical Church. In 1946 the Evangelical Church merged with the United Brethren in Christ Church and become known as the Evangelical United Brethren Church. Twenty two years later, in 1968, another merger occurred when the E.U.B. Church merged with the Methodist Church to form the United Methodist Church. St. Paul's Church owns eight acres of land, more or less, the greater part of which is being used for burial purposes. On the remainder is located the Church, parsonage, Sexton House and a beautiful maple grove. It was in this grove that the Annual Sunday School Picnic was held featuring the renowned 'Ringold Band' from Reading. This continued for 38 years from 1925 until 1963. In 1914 and again in 1939 extensive church renovations were completed including the addition of a Wicks organ. Our current Buch Pipe Organ was installed in 1972 along with new carpeting and pews in the sanctuary. Since 1980 the Sexton House, the second oldest dwelling in Terre Hill, located to the west of the church building, has also received various interior and exterior renovations. In 1984 the sanctuary was repainted, ceiling fans were installed and exterior painting was done. Since then new sidewalk has been poured, a chair-lift to our second floor sanctuary has been installed and first floor bathroom has been constructed. During the early 1990's the beautiful stained glass windows were restored and protective storm glass added, a new roof was put on and the base of the steeple was also restored. In 1995, additional land was donated to the cemetery and will be used soley for cremation burials. A handicap accessible ramp was added to the front of the church building in the summer of 1995 and in early 1996 renovations were completed to the basement Sunday School area which gave us dedicated space for two additional classes. In the mid to late 1980's the parsonage kitchen and bathroom were renovated, vinyl siding and insulation was added to the exterior, and wall to wall carpeting installed. In the early 1990's the driveway and parking area was expanded and repaved, the roof was replaced, and interior painting and window replacement began. The "Great Commission" of the Church of Jesus Christ is to go into all the world to win souls to Jesus Christ through the spreading of the Gospel. A number of St. Paul's members heeded this call and went forth to serve their Lord. John Miller was the first convert of this ministry in 1835. Shortly after, Martin Overholtzer, of whom it was said that "he was converted on his death-bed," gave witness to the saving power of the Gospel. Following his deep interest and concerned pleas for his loved ones, because of his prayers and pleadings, his wife and brothers, Isaac and Jacob, became converted also. Then Abner Clime and his wife, as well as Hetzel Stirk and his wife and Samuel Watts and on and on.... Ivan Wanner was called to the ministry from the St. Paul's congregation and served as minister in the Western Pennsylvania Conference. Ruth Frankhouser, a second generation member of St. Paul's Church, was called to the mission field and served as a missionary teacher at Red Bird Mission's Jack's Creek Center, Roark, Kentucky from the mid 1950's through 1968. In 1981, Nancy Trostle Callister, a fourth generation member of St. Paul's Church, and her husband George, an ordained minister, went onto the mission field through the American Mission For Opening Churches, Inc. (AMOC). In 1992, Debbie Wilcock, the current pastor's daughter, was a delegate to our denomination's General Conference. At age 16, Debbie was the youngest fully elected delegate to attend the 1992 General Conference. Debbie was relected to be a 1996 General Conference delegate from our Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference. In 1995, Dawn Crowther, a second generation member of St. Paul's Church, began service on Youth With A Mission's Mercy Ship, the Anastasis. Through the 1980's and into the 1990's, several youth and adults have been involved in short term mission projects and ministry teams that have served and ministered in both the United States and in foreign countries. Additionally there are many individuals in the St. Paul's congregation today who faithfully serve their Lord within this Church and the community of Terre Hill. In 1994, Kitty Brouse, R.N., B.S., a member of St. Paul's, began our Parish Nurse Ministry. This minstry reaches out to all age groups in such areas as: visitation, seminars, workshops, health fairs, personal counseling, etc. (Kitty Brouse felt called to move to another congregation to begin a new Parish Nurse Ministry there. The Parish Nurse Ministry as St. Paul is no longer in existence.) The present is an exciting time. In the last few months we have renovated our Fellowship Hall, have begun a Causal Praise Service which meets at 9 AM Sunday mornings. We gather around tables, enjoy our coffee and refreshments as we worship in song, word and prayer. We know the life of a church is never about the past, and not so much about the present, but always about the future. With that in mind, we are at the present time challenging ourselves to seek God’s Vision for St. Paul’s. We are trying to find the answer to, Where does God want to take us over the next three to five years. Seeking God’s Vision, then stepping out in faith, is always an exciting, exhilarating time. The presence of the Holy Spirit can be felt in the midst of St. Paul's Church life and ministry. We desire to continue serving our Lord and glorifying Him in all we do. St. Paul's United Methodist Church, serving the Lord Jesus Christ in the Terre Hill community and beyond - since 1835. “SHARING, CARING, PROCLAIMING THE LOVE OF JESIS CHRIST”