Calvary Lutheran Church History

The first meeting for the organization of a Lutheran Church in Dover was held on December 6, 1897. In January, 1899, the land for the church was donated by Mrs. D. Sell in memory of her husband, the Rev. D. Sell. A groundbreaking ceremony was held June 24, 1899 and the cornerstone was laid September 10, 1899.

Construction was begun and completed under the authority and guidance of the Missionary Committee of the York County Conference under the leadership of Messrs. Stewart D. Herman and Joseph H. Keller (both seminary students). A Board of Incorporation and Trustees appointed by the Court of York County consisted of the following: Michael Link, Peter W. Naylor, John J. Dattisman, Alonzo Picking, and Charles May.

Wood construction for Calvary was done by C. Henry Quickel (Great Grandfather of one of our present members, David M. Quickel III). C. Henry bought the house at 15 N. Main Street and built a cabinet shop at 13 N. Main Street.

C. Henry’s bid of $8000.00 awarded him the job of building Calvary. He had the following crew: Charles Adams, Wes Harlacher, Adam Yessler, Howard Quickel, Edward Raffensberger, and Albert Zeigler.

The four corner posts that go from the foundation to each of the four small swales above the town clock were 10" x 10" x 40'. Two of these logs were spliced end to end for each of the four corners of the tower. A 4" x 4" jinn pole was set up to erect each corner post about 80' tall.

C. Henry’s son, David M. Quickel, Sr., was born in 1890. The church was being built (18" from their cabinet shop) when David was 10 years old.

While his father was working on the church he climbed all through the framework of the church. One day as his father was putting slate on the tower peak, David decided to climb up to the tower. When his father saw him, he said, "Dave, what are you doing? You had better get down!" (David said he did without arguing.)

After the roof was on the building there was a time lapse in construction. David climbed up to the rafters and found many sparrow nests with recently hatched babies. He cleaned out the nests and one by one dropped the babies to the ground (hundreds of them).

The Ladies Aid Society was organized April 5, 1900. That year a bell was donated by Samuel B. Wallace. The clock was financed by the citizens of Dover. Dedication of the original structure was held December 16, 1900. The clock was placed by a man from the Howard Clock Company, Philadelphia, PA. The bell was hoisted into the tower by the cable that is used to lift the weights that operated the clock.

The Luther League was founded August 16, 1900.

The first sermon was preached by Rev. J. M. Ditzler on November 11, 1900.

The choir was organized November 24, 1900.

Preliminary services were held December 9 to 15, 1900. Services began promptly at 7 o’clock.

Dedication was held on Sunday, December 16, 1900.

Mr. Oliver M. Stouch was one of the leading laymen who were active from the initial concept of establishing a Lutheran Church in Dover. He was a leader of various projects and programs, along with the Ladies Aid Society, to eliminate the original debt.

The churches original gas lights were replaced by electric lights in the summer of 1912.

A new heating system was installed in 1936.

A building improvement campaign was launched in 1944. November 5, 1944, Calvary celebrated a 44^th anniversary.

June 6, 1948, Calvary welcomed home World War II veterans with a special service. There were 45 men and one woman member of several branches of service.

Lightning rods were installed in the bell tower in 1949.

Our services were blessed with a Baldwin organ in October 1949.

In the spring of 1953, the congregation approved plans for $25,000.00 in renovations and additions to the building. The work was completed and a rededication service was held June 27, 1954.

1958 was a busy year! The first parsonage (a semi-detached) on South Main Street was purchased. Also, a committee was appointed to plan a church school extension. A chapter of United Church Women was organized December 29, 1958.

The dedication for the church school addition was held in June 1960, and we also purchased the property to the north side of the church.

On February 25, 1963, the United Lutheran Church Women merged with the Ladies Aid Society to form a new organization – the Calvary Lutheran Church Women.

Approval for the building of a new parsonage was given October 9, 1966. Work was completed August 1967 for the new house on Mulberry Lane.

Congregational approval was given in September 1970 for a major renovation of the Church Sanctuary. A rededication was held in 1972 following completion of the work.

A 75^th Anniversary service was held in 1974.

Partial support of a missionary family was begun in 1976.

A parish life and ministry development program for preschool saw its beginning in 1977. Also, a full-time director for Christian Education/Youth Ministry was started. The congregation conducted an every member response growth program.

The Lutheran Book of Worship was introduced in 1979. Also, a part-time administrative secretary was appointed.

In 1983 we purchased the property at 15 North Main Street.

In 1985 the property at 5 North Main Street was acquired. November 1985 a three octave set of Malmark Handbells was purchased.

1986 found Calvary helping to support New Hope Ministry, also housing their first office at 5 North Main Street.

That same year a committee consisting of William Buckle, Doris Burger, Hazel Johnson, and Arlene Stouch purchased a display case for treasures of the past so they might be preserved for future generations. They also gathered pictures of all past pastors. Both the case and the pictures are on display in the Narthex.

Another treasure – Calvary’s first organ, a Weaver Pump Organ – was refurbished. The two oil lamps, which provided light for the organist, are on display in the case.

The committee was assisted in many ways by these people:

A dedication service was held on January 4, 1987.

In 1990 a part time associate in ministry was called.

A computer system purchased in 1991 aided in the keeping of records.

Dedication of the Parish House, 5 North Main Street, was held on November 14, 1993. The Parish House was entered on the National Historical Registry in 1999.

Calvary participated in Lutheran Heritage Days on November 21, 1993. Displays describing our church life were exhibited by Lutheran Churches throughout the County. Several of our members also displayed handcrafts.

From 1993 to 1994 the Archives Committee searched the nooks and crannies of the church to remove unused items. Some materials were used by the classes. Other teaching materials were donated to Chapel Hill Evangelical Church of Shrewsbury. (Frank Miller, pastor, is the son-in-law of member Ruthanna Heiner.) A few items were sold at a community yard sale. We held an auction on September 30, 1994, for congregation members only.

In the summer of 2000, the house at 15 North Main Street was demolished.