History Highlights

A column showcasing the rich history of

Jerusalem Western Salisbury Church

By Joshua Arthur Fink, Historian

Happy Anniversary! This year, our church is celebrating 285 Years of Ministry in Salisbury Township! The first log cabin church was built in 1741, a combined effort of the German Lutheran and Reformed settlers from southern Germany and neighboring areas of France and Switzerland. The History Committee has chosen Sunday, May 3, 2026 at 9:45 a.m. to celebrate “Heritage Sunday,” utilizing a worship liturgy with historical elements from 1926; the service will also contain well known hymns and celebratory music. In honor of the 100^th Anniversary of our Stained Glass Windows, created by the studios of George Hardy PAYNE in 1925, there will also be a brief rededication service.

Detail of the Adoration of the Shepherds

Stained Glass Window by George Hardy PAYNE,1925.

Located in the Sanctuary of Jerusalem Western Salisbury Church

photograph by Joshua Arthur Fink, 2026

Looking back one hundred years ago, on Sunday, May 23, 1926, our church was rededicated in celebration of the extensive improvements made at the church, including the Memorial Stained Glass Windows. The next day’s edition of The Morning Call featured an article on page 5 entitled “Western Salisbury Church Rededicated: Inspiring and Appropriate Addresses Are Feature of Special Services.” Three services (one each in the morning, afternoon and evening) were held throughout the day, each with special speakers from the community and beyond and special music under the direction of Organist Edward S. STRAUSS.

Announcement of planned renovations to the church was made on page 8 of the Sunday, July 19, 1925 edition of The Morning Call in an article entitled “Western Salisbury Church to be Improved: Memorial Windows Will Be Installed and Other Alterations Made.” The church edifice was to be beautified with new paint, inside and out, as well as the installation of hardwood floors in the Sanctuary and the creation and installation of “Memorial Windows” made of stained glass by George Hardy PAYNE (the discovery of this article in the newspaper on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, after many years of searching for who created our stained glass windows, finally revealed the illusive name of our stained glass artisan!) The newspaper article also mentions that “Memorial windows will supplant the present ancient ones [the old individually clear paned glass windows installed in 1819-20], practically all of them to be donated by members of the congregations in memory of departed loved ones. Most of them have already been subscribed for.” Twenty seven Stained Glass Windows and four door panels for two single and one pair of doors were donated by members and friends of the church:

Tribute of love from Dr. Harvey T. WICKERT, confirmed here November 9, 1873 (Jesus with little children, lower level Annex, fourth window from left.)

In memory of Lewis SMITH and wife Elizabeth presented by E. H. SMITH and wife Emma M. (Jesus’ Baptism, lower level Annex, third window from left.)

In memory of Wm. KECK and wife Emelina presented by Mr. and Mrs. M. C. A. KECK and Mr. and Mrs. C. W. R. KECK. (Jesus in the Temple, lower level Annex, second window from the left.)

In memory of Francis S. KEMMERER and wife Amanda, presented by Mr. and Mrs. S. G. and Mr. and Mrs. M. J. KEMMERER (Adoration of the Shepherds, lower level Annex, first window from the left.)

In memory of John REINHARD and wife Angelina presented by the grandchildren (the 1741 Half Moon Window, located in the Narthex.)

In memory of Elias KNAUSS and wife Amelia, presented by Mr. and Mrs. H. M. KNAUSS and family (Torch, lower level, viewable outside, left of the Narthex and located in the back right closet.)

In memory of Michael BIERY, Revolutionary Patriot by his descendants (Wheat, upper level, somewhat viewable outside at the front left of the church and located in the right organ chamber.)

In memory of Charles B. KEMMERER and wife Sarah, presented by their daughter Alavesta C. KISTLER and family (Roses, upper level, somewhat viewable outside on the Old Cemetery side of the church and located in the right organ chamber in the right wall.)

Presented by Mr. and Mrs. A. D. KUHNS and family (Descending Dove, upper level, Annex side, first window from the left.)

In memory of Amandus STEPHEN and wife Catherine and Michael KEHM and wife Catherine, presented by Mr. and Mrs. H. J. STEPHEN (The Holy Bible, upper level, Annex side, second window from the left.)

In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob KEHM, presented by their daughter, Helen (Three Gifts of the Magi, upper level, Annex side, third window from the left.)

In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Enos A. HEIST, presented by Lucinda lOBST (The Ascension of Jesus, upper level, Palladian Window above the Chancel at the front of the Sanctuary.)

In memory of Jacob ORTT and wife Pollyann, presented by the children (Alpha and Omega, upper level, left window at the front of the Sanctuary.)

Presented by Benjamin STEPHEN and wife Mary Ann (Jesus Healing, lower level, street side, fourth window from the left.)

In memory of Benjamin STRAUSS and his wife Sarah Ann by Mr. and Mrs. E. F. STRAUSS (Jesus’ Trial Before Pilate, lower level, street side, third window from the left.)

Presented by Miss Carrie BORTZ (Half Moon Window located in the attic of the church and viewable outside at the front roof peak.)

In memory of James B. WIEAND and his wife Catherine E.. J., presented by James B. WIEAND (the Crucifixion, lower level, street side, second window from the left.)

In memory of Allen P. J. LAUDENSLAGER and Moses Henry RABENOLD, presented by Sabina C. LAUDENSLAGER and Susan RABENOLD (the Resurrection, lower level, street side, first window from the left.)

Presented in honor of our Pastors, Rev. D. E. SCHAEFFER and Rev. J. S. SAVACOOL by the Sunday School (Anchor, lower level, viewable outside, right of the Narthex and located in the back left closet.)

Presented by Charles H. REINHARD and wife Ellen J. (Grapes, upper level, somewhat viewable outside at the front right of the church and located in the left organ chamber.)

In memory of Reuben DECH and his wife Maria presented by Mr. and Mrs. Eli A. SCHMOYER and family and Mr. and Mrs. Victor DECH (The Lyre [Music], upper level, Palladian Window above the choir loft at the back of the Sanctuary, viewable outside at the front.)

In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Nathan SCHAFFER and son Tilghman, presented by their daughter Mrs. Emmaline BROWN (Flowers, upper level, somewhat viewable outside on the street side of the church and located in the left organ chamber in the left wall.)

Presented by Mr. and Mrs. F. B. BACKENSTO and family (Crown of Thorns, upper level, street side, fourth window from the left.)

In memory of Mr. and Mrs. J. Augustus REINHARD, presented by the children (Cross and Crown, upper level, street side, third window from the left.)

In memory of Reuben ROMICH and wife Mary, presented by the children (Chalice, upper level, street side, second window from the left.)

In memory of Jonathan STEPHEN presented by Henrietta STEPHEN (Lily, upper level, street side, first window from the left.)

In memory of Benjamin BOGER and his wife Matilda presented by the children (Chi Rho, upper level, right window at the front of the Sanctuary.)

Presented by the Infant Department of the Sunday School (Stained Glass panel in the left door aside of the Chancel leading from the Sanctuary into the Chapel.)

Presented by Emmanuel M. Kemmerer and his wife Hattie (Stained Glass panel in the right door aside of the Chancel leading from the Sanctuary into the Chapel.)

Presented by the Ladies Aid Society (Two Clear Beveled Glass panels in the pair of “saloon doors” leading from the Sanctuary out into the Narthex.)

For those wishing to learn more about our Stained Glass Windows (or how the presenters and subjects of some of the “hidden” windows were rediscovered), be sure to attend the Stained Glass Window tour on Sunday, May 24 (details below).

Wishing you all the best this May as we continue the celebration of Jesus’ glorious Resurrection all the way up to the Day of Pentecost on May 24! If you have a curiosity about our church and its history, or comments or information to share, please contact me through the church office or at my personal email address Finkyx@aol.com.

© Joshua Arthur Fink, 2026

History Committee News Briefs

Sunday, May 3, 2026; 9:45 a.m. – “Heritage Sunday” Worship Service with Rededication of the Stained Glass Windows.

Sunday, May 24, 2006; 4:30 p.m. - Stained Glass Window Highlight Tour, led by Joshua Arthur Fink. Come and learn about the church’s historic Stained Glass Windows, created by the studios of George Hardy Payne, and “see” some of the windows that have been hidden from view from the inside of the Sanctuary for many years.