Who We Are

Sketch by Joan H. Snyder

Some of the history of our United Methodist denomination is reflected in the story of the formation of our Aldersgate family of faith. To tell the story of Aldersgate is to tell the story of two York City congregations, Duke Street Methodist and Second Evangelical United Brethren.

 

The Duke Street Methodist Church, located at Duke Street and College Avenue, York was founded on August 22, 1870. As the congregation and it’s ministries grew a fellowship building was added in 1915. For nearly a century, the Duke Street Methodist Church served the community of York. In the 1950’s, a vision of relocating the congregation to an area of growing neighborhoods began to take shape. On September 18, 1960, under the leadership of Pastor Harold E. Posey the congregation voted “yes” to this vision. For a time, services in the new neighborhood meant worship services and gatherings in the parsonage basement that had been purchased in the Hill-n-Dale area; at the same time, conducting services in the Duke Street facility. The progress of relocation continued as land was purchased (March 1962) and construction began (August/ September 1963). The new church was called Wesley Memorial and the first sanctuary was our present library.

The Second United Brethren in Christ Church, as it was named in 1925, actually began on the corner of Duke and South streets in York city on January 22, 1873. Despite remodeling to accommodate growth, the congregation found it necessary to move to the corner of Queen and South streets in 1926 and the name Second Evangelical United Brethren Church was adopted. The name was changed again following the denominational mergers of 1968, as Second EUB became Faith United Methodist. Also beginning to sense a vision to relocate, the congregation accepted an offer to sell their building to the Small Memorial AME Zion Church in 1968. After more than 90 years of ministry in York, Faith United Methodist was looking for property on which to build.

During this period of time discussions of a new union between Wesley UM (formerly Duke Street) and Faith UM (formerly Second EUB) began. On April 13, 1969, both congregations approved the union and the ministry of Aldersgate United Methodist Church began. Congregational growth began as well. In 1971, the new sanctuary and several classrooms were added, and the organ was installed. Increased membership and ministry growth resulted in phase 3 of the building when the Fellowship Hall and more classrooms were added in 1990.

Aldersgate Church today stands as a tribute to the vision, the faith, giving, and hard work of many people for nearly 140 years. We live in line with those who responded to God’s call to reach out with vision and love. Our task is to seek God for what God wants Aldersgate to be in the years to come. Our task is to carry that vision forward for as long as we are able in our generation and then to pass it on to the generation to come. But in the end, the glory belongs to our God and to our Lord Jesus. It is God’s Church. We praise God for the privilege of being active in it for our short time here on earth.

 

Aldersgate United Methodist Church provinces financial support and helping hands for  a number of programs and organizations.   Here are some of the programs we support:

in our local community:

• Helping Hands for the Homeless
• UM Children's Home in Mechanicsburg 
• Bell Shelter
• York Rescue Mission
• The W.E.L.L. (Food Pantry)
• Mission Central 

in our own country:

• Red Bird Mission
• McCurdy School

and around the world:

• Malihabi, South Africa
• Carmel, India- Trip Yearly in January 
• Ghana Mission- Trip Yearly in September
• UMCOR
• Heifer Project International 

We continue to celebrate God’s spirit among us as evidenced by disciples making a difference at Aldersgate and in the world.  Malachi 3:10 is true –God opens the window of blessing on a generous congregation!