Pine Grove United Methodist Church
Worshiping Together A constant reminder of Christ
Pine Grove United Methodist Church is a thriving congregation, serving the Lord Our God in faith and community.
We take seriously Jesus' words about the love of God and Neighbor. "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." - Luke 10:25-28
We believe that the gospel of Jesus Christ is a message that should be available to everyone and offers life.
Worshiping With Us
Sunday worship begins at 9:15a.m. Holy Communion is open to all and served the first Sunday of each month. We are a multi-generational worshiping community with a relaxed traditional service. During our worship service children in grades K-4 are invited to a kid-friendly worship service several Sundays each month. Nursery care is provided during all worship services.
Emphasis on Spiritual Formation
We have Sunday school classes for all ages following our Sunday morning worship. We also provide small group Bible study and prayer opportunity throughout the week. We believe spiritual formation, where we pray and study scripture in community in important for the Christian life.
We are a Missional Church
Pine Grove has a long history in missions. We believe serving others is vital to the Christian life. We support missions both here in York and around the world. Some of the missions we support include: Heifer Project, Helping Hands Food Run, Society of St. Andrew, Upper Room Telephone Ministry, Missionaries and much more. Mission is the heartbeat of the church.
Church Groups
There are a variety of ways to serve at Pine Grove. For example, we have a number of Choirs involving youth and adults. The Ladies Sunshine Group supports missions and projects, as well as enjoying fellowship together. In addition we have programs for youth and children.
A History of Pine Grove Church
(Written by David Miller)
(Written by David Miller)
In the early part of the 1800's the 'Evangelical' movement was gaining momentum. An 'Evangelical Class' was established in the vicinity of what is now Leader Heights by the year 1860. Originally known as the 'Conway Class', the congregation probably met in a one room school house (possibly Nesses School, which was removed when Route 83 was constructed).
The congregation erected its first church building in 1869 at the corner of Dew Drop and Pine Grove Roads and became known as Pine Grove Evangelical Church. At this time, Pine Grove also began a 100 year association with the Loganville Charge that included the churches of Mt. Zion (Potosi), Jacobus (Paradise), Loganville and Pine Grove. During the 1880's two small additions were made to the church building, an alter at one end and a combination belltower and vestibule at the other. Church and Sunday School membership at the time was approximately 95.
Near the end of the first decade of the 1900's, the church obtained a bell. According to local customs, church bells called people to worship and also tolled to share and memorialize the loss of a loved one. Pine Grove, like other community churches, tolled its bell for everyone in the neighborhood, not just members of congregation. Before the 1920's the church excavated a small basement in order to install a furnace. During the winter months the building had previously been heated by three small stoves located in the sanctuary. Even though the congregation's size was limited in this era, Pine Grove managed to assemble a church choir and orchestra.
From the 1920's through the 60's, Pine Grove followed the movement of the general church. First, as a United Evangelical Church in 1922, then in 1946 Pine Grove became a part of the Evangelical United Brethren Church. Finally in 1968 'Pine Grove United Methodist Church' was the result of a merger between the E.U.B. and the Methodist traditions.
It was during the latter part of this most recent period that Pine Grove experienced some internal changes as well. As the small country church found itself in the middle of the local movement to the suburbs in the 1960's and 70's, the cramped quarters of the original building made a new structure a necessity. A combination Educational Unit and Sanctuary was constructed in 1963 on land obtained from Aaron Hess, a member of the congregation. The cornerstone was laid on July 21, 1963.
In 1966 Pine Grove left the Loganville Charge as Rev. Leon Desenberg assumed a part-time pastorate. He served until his death in 1975 when the Rev. Miller Schmuck began his tenure as pastor. During this time a new sanctuary was constructed completing the plans conceived in the 1950's and early 60's. The cornerstone was laid on March 14, 1976.
For the first time a full-time pastor was appointed to serve the congregation beginning July 1, 1981. In 1984 a parsonage was purchased for the pastor and family on Dew Drop Ct.
On Sunday, December 11, 1994, a Service of Note-Burning and Dedication was held for both the sanctuary and the parsonage. On December 14, 2001, a new Christian Education facility was completed. The project consisted of an expanded narthex, nursery and prayer room, kitchen, multi-purpose room, church office, pastor's study, and six classrooms. On Sunday, September 9, 2007, the annex addition to the sanctuary was consecrated to the Lord's service. We begin the year 2009 with 222 full members, 44 constituents and 42 children. This church family will continue to write another chapter in the history of this congregation by faith-filled service to God.
The congregation erected its first church building in 1869 at the corner of Dew Drop and Pine Grove Roads and became known as Pine Grove Evangelical Church. At this time, Pine Grove also began a 100 year association with the Loganville Charge that included the churches of Mt. Zion (Potosi), Jacobus (Paradise), Loganville and Pine Grove. During the 1880's two small additions were made to the church building, an alter at one end and a combination belltower and vestibule at the other. Church and Sunday School membership at the time was approximately 95.
Near the end of the first decade of the 1900's, the church obtained a bell. According to local customs, church bells called people to worship and also tolled to share and memorialize the loss of a loved one. Pine Grove, like other community churches, tolled its bell for everyone in the neighborhood, not just members of congregation. Before the 1920's the church excavated a small basement in order to install a furnace. During the winter months the building had previously been heated by three small stoves located in the sanctuary. Even though the congregation's size was limited in this era, Pine Grove managed to assemble a church choir and orchestra.
From the 1920's through the 60's, Pine Grove followed the movement of the general church. First, as a United Evangelical Church in 1922, then in 1946 Pine Grove became a part of the Evangelical United Brethren Church. Finally in 1968 'Pine Grove United Methodist Church' was the result of a merger between the E.U.B. and the Methodist traditions.
It was during the latter part of this most recent period that Pine Grove experienced some internal changes as well. As the small country church found itself in the middle of the local movement to the suburbs in the 1960's and 70's, the cramped quarters of the original building made a new structure a necessity. A combination Educational Unit and Sanctuary was constructed in 1963 on land obtained from Aaron Hess, a member of the congregation. The cornerstone was laid on July 21, 1963.
In 1966 Pine Grove left the Loganville Charge as Rev. Leon Desenberg assumed a part-time pastorate. He served until his death in 1975 when the Rev. Miller Schmuck began his tenure as pastor. During this time a new sanctuary was constructed completing the plans conceived in the 1950's and early 60's. The cornerstone was laid on March 14, 1976.
For the first time a full-time pastor was appointed to serve the congregation beginning July 1, 1981. In 1984 a parsonage was purchased for the pastor and family on Dew Drop Ct.
On Sunday, December 11, 1994, a Service of Note-Burning and Dedication was held for both the sanctuary and the parsonage. On December 14, 2001, a new Christian Education facility was completed. The project consisted of an expanded narthex, nursery and prayer room, kitchen, multi-purpose room, church office, pastor's study, and six classrooms. On Sunday, September 9, 2007, the annex addition to the sanctuary was consecrated to the Lord's service. We begin the year 2009 with 222 full members, 44 constituents and 42 children. This church family will continue to write another chapter in the history of this congregation by faith-filled service to God.