In 1735 the baptisms of German-Reformed persons were recorded being performed in the Willow Valley Church area. In the following years the name of the church changed from Willow Valley to Corn Church to the Oley Mountain Church and finally to the Hill Church. These early baptisms began the ministry of what was to become St. John-Hill United Church of Christ.In 1741 the Evangelical Lutherans in the area purchased 50 acres of land for church and school purposes. With help from the German-Reformed and other neighbors, they built a log and wood church building in 1747. In appreciation, the Lutherans permitted the Reformed to hold services in the church, bury their dead in the adjoining cemetery, and send their children to the proposed school when erected. In 1785 the Lutherans sold half of the interest of the church to German-Reformed Congregation. From this time it was designated as a Union Church.In 1786 the log church was torn down and a larger structure of stone was erected. Both congregations voted to demolish that building in 1852 and a new one of stone was built which is the one that stands today.In 1886 the church was entirely remodeled, painted, and refurnished, including window of stained glass. A steeple and bell were also added.After the close of World War I in 1919, the joint congregations erected a monument as a memorial to the young men of the congregation who had served in the war. Also 200 maple trees were planted as a Memorial Grove and two years later a pavilion was erected. Electric lights were installed in the church in 1921 and new Memorial stained glass windows in 1925.In 1952 a parish house, or Sunday School, was added and in 1953 the sanctuary was repaired and renovated extensively. The Union Church was dissolved in 1981 with St. Joseph's Hill Lutheran Church leaving to build a new church and St. John-Hill United Church of Christ buying the Lutheran share.The Rev. James W. Rogers began his ministory as our pastor in June of 1967 where he served the church through the new century until his retirement in January of 2003.The following is a list of pastors who have served our congregation and our church.
Rev. Michael Schlatter - Pioneer Reformed Pastor & Missionary
Rev. J. C. Dill - Dates Unknown
Rev. John William Ingold - Dates Unknown
Rev. F. Dallicker - 1790 -1796
Rev. J. H. Faber - 1797 - 1799
Rev. Frederick Herman - 1800 - 1840
Rev. Lewis Herman - 1840 - 1859
Rev. Robert Van Court - 1859 - 1864
Rev. P. P. A. Hoffman - 1864 - 1890
Rev. M. H. Mischler - 1893 -1909
Rev. C. F. Bartholomew - 1909 - 1927
Rev. W. E. Horstmeirer - 1927 - 1929
Rev. W. L. Meckstroth - 1929 - 1933
Rev. Donald M. C. Englert - 1933 - 1943
Rev. John L. Herbster - 1943 -1957
Rev. George K. Ludwig - 1958 - 1961
Rev. G. Harry Nice - 1962 - 1967
Rev. James W. Rogers - 1967 - January 2003
Rev. Hartford C. Inlow - 2005 - Present
History
On this page you can find out the past of St. John's and how we developed. If you would like to see some pictures and documents from our past....visit our History Gallery page.
St. John - Hill U.C.C.
"The Historic Church Serving Today's People."
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