History of the Silverdale Church

Photo of original church building, 1883

Our original church building, built in 1883, cost about $1,000. It was torn down after the replacement church building was completed in 1960, built right behind the old church.

Our church building, completed in 1960, as it appeared in 1996 before major additions and renovations began.

Summer of 1996 -- Following additions out the front and back of the church, and major renovations throughout, this is the result! The new building was dedicated October 20, 1996. (Latest photo is on the Home Page.)

The Brethren in Christ Church in Silverdale was started about 1825 by men who came from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The first organization was made in 1846, when John Cassel was elected as Overseer, or Bishop.

Christian Wismer was born on April 13, 1817, in the Skippack area, and he came here with his family in 1850. He lived on the second farm south on the "Silverdale Inn Road," which we now know as Green Street in Silverdale.

In 1863 he was made the first deacon in this congregation, serving until 1886. He was also made a Trustee of the church in 1863. He died in 1902 and is buried in our church cemetery.

His daughter, Sarah Wismer, a maiden lady, started the first Sunday School here in 1891.

Our original church building, shown in the photograph at the top of this page, was built in 1883 at a cost of about $ I ,000.

In August 1943, the church council decided to consider enlarging the facilities, and in January 1944 a building fund was begun.

In January 1957 the church council decided that a new building was necessary. By January 1958 there was nearly $9,000 in the building fund. On May 11, 1958, ground was broken for the new church. In May 1959 the trustees were authorized to borrow $10,000 for the building project, and another $10,000 to purchase a parsonage.

On January 24, 1960, the first service was held in the basement, and on September 18 the first service was held in the auditorium. The dedication service was held on October 2, 1960. The total cost of the project for construction, land, furnishings and fixtures, parking lot, and the parsonage came to $67,500. In addition, 7,690 hours of labor were donated. Congregations both in this area and from the Lancaster County area provided much of the labor. A gift of $5,000 was received for furnishing the Sanctuary and Pastor's Study, for which a plaque of appreciation hangs on the wall in the narthex.

Christian Wismer's granddaughter, Clara Elizabeth Osmun (daughter of David Cassel Wismer), died in 1969. Her will stipulated that $500 plus a percentage of the balance of her estate was to be given to our church. That gift amounted to $ 18,356.98, and was more than enough to clear all outstanding indebtedness on our current church building. A bronze plaque hangs on the wall in our narthex in appreciation of her generosity.

In 1986 the congregation began planning for a steeple to be erected on the church roof. Dr. Russell Green, a retired medical doctor and a regular attender, offered a gift of electronic carillons for the steeple if the church could raise the funds necessary for the steeple. An outpouring of gifts was received from the Silverdale community with over 90% of the funds coming from outside the church family. The steeple was custom built by Marvin Smith of Souderton, and installed along with Schulmerich carillons. They were dedicated in a special service on April 26, 1987.

Dr. Green died in 1990, leaving another gift to our church of $10,000 which we received in 1991.

Numerous other improvements and changes were made over the years...a new parking lot on the west side of the church in 1987, a new sound system in 1989, padded pews in 1991, new sidewalks along Main Street in 1991, and portable room dividers for the Fellowship Hall in 1992, to name a few.

On August 3, 1992, for $135,000 the church purchased the home of Mrs. Elizabeth Schlenker, across the street from the church at 170 W. Main Street, for future use as the church parsonage. In July 1994 the Pastor and his family moved across the street to occupy the new parsonage, and the former parsonage was renovated to become our Christian Education Building. It provides several classrooms as well as office space for the pastor and the church office. A capital fund campaign called "Step of Faith in Silverdale" was undertaken, raising more than $90,000 in three years to reduce the mortgage debt.

The Silverdale church continued to grow steadily, and badly needed more sanctuary space. So in June 1996, following a "Walk of Faith" capital fund campaign, ground was broken to expand the church building to create a larger sanctuary and narthex area, as well as expand the Fellowship Hall and kitchen areas. The parsonage was sold to the pastor's family to raise some of the capital funds needed, and that, along with the capital fund campaign, provided the approximately $300,000 needed for the expansion and renovations. The new building was completed and dedicated on October 20, 1996.

We praise the Lord for those who have gone before us, both for their generosity and for their example as they followed God's leading in our congregation through the years. We must not neglect the responsibility we have to prepare for our sons and daughters and for the many moving into our Silverdale community in the years ahead.

Pray that we will have open minds and open hearts as we continue to seek and follow God's leading in our church and community in Silverdale.

PO Box 237 - 165 W. Main Street (Rt. 113) - Silverdale, PA 18962
Phone 215-257-4272 - Fax 215-257-6286 - E-Mail church@silverdalechurch.org