About Shanks Church of the Brethren
-
Shank’s Church of the Brethren became their own congregational identity in 1981.
In 1752 the Antietam Congregation was formed. In 1810 the Welsh Run Congregation branched off Antietam. In 1850 the Back Creek Congregation branched off Welsh Run.
Back Creek had three houses of worship. On lands, near St. Thomas, PA of Elder David Brandt the first church known as Brandt’s was built in 1853. In the early 1870’s there was a need for a second house of worship due to increased membership and the distance of travel. Elder John Shank offered to give $1400. if this meeting house was located near Greencastle, because he lived in the southern part of the Back Creek Congregation. He was disappointed when the decision was made to locate near the village of Upton, PA
In 1871 when the Upton House was completed Elder Shank donated his own land, located along the Williamsport Pike South of Greencastle, PA for a third church, along with land for graveyard purposes. There he erected, at his own expense, an exact duplicate of the Upton House. He bequeathed Shank’s Church to the Back Creek Congregation and $800. to build a house for the church property caretaker. This house was built in 1878, with latest additions and renovations completed in 2009 and is still occupied by the caretaker.
On the night of May 30, 1883, Shank’s Church was struck by lightning. At that time members slept in the attic during lovefeast and special meetings. Bedding in the attic fueled the fire. The interior of the building was ruined, but the walls were left intact. When rebuilding the enterior was changed and a furnace was added. In 1954 a new oil furnace replaced the old one. The Kitchen was remodeled in 1959. An addition was added in 1968, and new pews and carpeting in 1985. The cemetery was expanded in 1992. The land between the church house and the Williamsport Pike was excavated and made into a softball field in 2001.
The three church houses, Brandt’s, Upton and Shank’s continued as the Back Creek Congregation until 1980, at which time the Upton Church desired to become a separate congregation. The same request from Brandt’s Church soon followed These petitions were granted by the Southern Pennsylvania District Conference.
Shank’s Church, the only meeting house remaining in the Back Creek Congregation, requested that we be identified as Shank Church of the Brethren Congregation. This request was granted by District Conference. Thus, the Back Creek Congregation was disolved in 1980-1981.
The Church of the Brethren Denomination is divided geographically into Districts with Shank’s located in the Southern District of PA. Shank’s participates in the denomination by sending delegates to the yearly District Conference and Annual Conference.
Currently, the leadership of Shank’s Church is served by the Free Ministry, not a Pastor. The ministers serve without salary and along with the deacons comprise the Church Board. There is also ample opportunity for input from the congregation on church decisions. The Deacon Body is responsible for yearly visitation to all the members. They along with their wives prepare the twice yearly Love Feast and Communion Services. The Deacons also help the Ministers with Worship Services.
~Sister Marie Musselman
