History of Grace UCC

On May 13, 1901, a meeting in charge of Mr. A. R. Brodbeck and Rev. M. J. Roth of Trinity Reformed Church of Hanover was held for the purpose of discussing plans for the organization of a Sunday School in the Midway area of Hanover. A second meeting took place on May 19, 1901 with 100 persons in attendance. Following the reading of a proposed constitution, a Sunday School was organized, and 70 members were enrolled on that initial Sunday. 

In May1905 Gettysburg Classis of the Reformed Church appointed a committee to secure a location for the erection of a chapel in the northeast section of Hanover. The corner of Fourth and North Franklin Streets was selected, and the use of the Midway Public-School Building was secured as a temporary site for Sunday School services. 

On July 10, 1906, fifteen charter members signed a petition requesting that the congregation be organized and that it be known as Grace Reformed Church. 

After purchase of the building site, a chapel was constructed and dedicated in 1907. An annex was added in 1914. A major building project was begun in 1940 which resulted in a complete transformation of both the exterior and interior. 

In order to accommodate the growing Sunday School classes and expanded activities, more classroom space was added in 1952. A new tower and additional changes were completed in 1964. 

The parsonage at 431 N. Franklin St. was purchased in 1920 and served as a parsonage until 1939 when a 2-story brick parsonage and 1 car garage were constructed on a lot adjacent to the church. Additions were made to the parsonage in 1969. 

Parking facilities are provided by use of an area donated to the church in 1957 and located adjacent to the rear of the church. 

Affiliations 

In 1934 the Reformed Church in the United States and the Evangelical Synod of North America united to form the Evangelical and Reformed Church. Further changes took place in 1957 when the denomination united with the Congregational Christian Churches to from the United Church of Christ. Today Grace Church is a member congregation of the Gettysburg Association and the Penn Central Conference of the United Church of Christ.

Sons and Daughters of the Congregation 

Theron M. Snyder in 1947 

Jeffrey C. Stonesifer in 1971 

Scott A Sager in 1988 

Erin Snell in 2005 

Frederick A. Young in 2005

We have been serving the community for over 50 years, providing a space for people to come together and connect with Grace United Church of Christ. Our founders believed in the transformative power of faith, and we continue to hold that belief close to our hearts.