A large group assembled on that cold and overcast Easter Sunday afternoon, April 18, 1965 in a field in Haines Acres. There were no homes in the immediate area then. There was no York Suburban School or St. Joseph's Catholic School built then either. This portion of the Haines Acres community was only a dream, mostly lines on a land developer's drawings and a few excavations. Only an old cemetery, several tree lines, and open fields existed. There was evidence that something was about to happen in the area though, as rough graded streets were beginning to branch off the nearly completed Seventh Avenue (later renamed Kingston Road).

This approximately 200 person group arranged themselves just outside a lined area, like football players standing along the edge of a playing field. The lined area represented the future sanctuary area. The attendees envisioned what the sanctuary would look like, having probably 200 different concepts.

Three trumpeters, at least nineteen choir members and its Choir Director, Stanley Dotterer, assembled to the east, facing the group that gathered next to the lined field on the north, south and west. The choir women donned coats, and most of the men braved the coolness without overcoats.

Ceremony leaders assembled in the middle. They were: Pastor M. Guy West, Rev. John A. Blackwell, President of the York Ministerial Association, and Rev. Richard H. Crawford, Executive Secretary of the York County Council of Churches.

At 3:00 P.M., the trumpeters called us to worship. After the spoken word, the Congregation sang the Doxology. Congregational hymns included "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty", the "Gloria Patri", and "We Would Be Building". Rev. Crawford extended the greetings, and Rev. Blackwell led in the scripture and prayer. With trumpet accompaniment, the Chancel Choir enthusiastically sang "Songs of Praises". Musical tones that probably didn't travel too far in that large expanse.

Participants in the groundbreaking included Milton M. Baugher, Dr. John R. Herr, Donald A. Gilbert, Edwin C. Myers, Rev. Jessie O. Jenkins, Pastor M. Guy West, Lois Michael Myers, Orville H. Lauver, George W. Heindel, John C. Lehman, Henry A. Nelson, Helen A. Herr (Stoner), Mary A. Lehman, Sanford W. Trimmer, Richard E. Knaub, Lorene M. Trimmer, Galen S. Trimmer, Jacob E. Hershey, Nancy M. Hagginbothom (Jones), and Stephen Long. Individuals were invited to turn over a shovel full also, and several persons did so.

Following a "Litany of Commitment" and the "Gloria Patri", the following "Prayer of Commitment" was offered by the congregation. "0 Lord our God, whom the heavens of heavens can not contain, but whose will it is that we should provide a house wherein prayer and praise may be offered unto thy name: Sanctify and bless the efforts of this congregation, that working together with diligent devotion. the result may bring honor to thy holy name, and blessing to the human family; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

Following the hymn, "We Would Be Building", the benediction was pronounced. The congregation lingered awhile, found their way back to their autos, then departed.

Photos

The congregation assembles.

The leaders, choir and trumpeters.

Pastor Murray Guy West

Dr. John. R. Herr

Helen Herr (Stoner)

An Unidentified Youth.

A Moment of Humor in the Ceremony.