Brief History of Our Church
Trinity United Church of Christ had its origin in 1790 when a group of German Christians, led by Rev. George Troldenier, of Holland, organized a church body. They met in a log cabin school room adjacent to our present building.
On January 27, 1812, the foundation for a “union church” was laid at the present location by the German Reform and German Lutheran congregations. English was introduced into the service in 1832 and six years later the first church school was organized. In 1836 a number of members, who had formed the Christ Lutheran congregation, left the “union church” and in 1850 the St. James Lutheran congregation decided to dissolve the union church as well.
The present church’s cornerstone was laid on May 22, 1851. It was remodeled in 1892 with the addition of a vestibule, tower, and stained glass windows. In that same year, its name was changed to Trinity Reformed Church.
In 1863 this building served as a hospital for wounded soldiers of both armies during the “Battle of Gettysburg.” In 1918 it served as a “Y” hut for the soldiers of Camp Colt during World War I.
In 1934, in a merger with the Evangelical denomination, the name was changed to the Evangelical and Reformed Church. The addition of a Fellowship Hall was completed in 1950. In 1957 a merger was consummated with the Congregational Christian Church. At the Uniting General Synod in Cleveland, Ohio that year, the denomination’s name was established to be the United Church of Christ.
The congregation’s bicentennial celebration was observed in 1990. During that year a major renovation of the building was completed which involved remodeling and realigning the interior of the sanctuary. New additions included the chancel and gathering area, parlor, and offices along with the remodeling of the Fellowship Hall and church school classrooms.
The congregation has called 19 pastors over these many years. In addition, four members of the congregation have been ordained as ministers: Rev. William Swisher - 1962, Rev. Timothy Weible - 1991, Rev. Kim Blocher - 1995 and Rev. Joel Weible - 1999.
STAFF:
Pastor: Roy D. Fauth
Secretary: Cally Kruger
Sexton: William Hartlaub
Christian Education Director: Ann Walsh
Senior Choir Director: Ann Gerlitzki
Organist: Jane Eiker
Asst. Organist: Audrey Blackstone
Children’s Choir Director: Linda Fauth
Nursery attendant: Roberta Weiant
Pastor:
Reverend Roy D. Fauth has been serving Trinity since August of 1978; he and his wife, Linda, live in the parsonage next to the church at 141 S. Stratton Street. They are the parents of Ryan and Megan. Pastor Fauth and Linda are both graduates of Red Lion High School and Albright College. Pastor Fauth received two master’s degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary: a Master of Divinity degree in 1973 and a Master of Theology degree in 1975. He was ordained into the United Methodist Church in 1975; he served two small United Methodist Churches in Northern New Jersey from 1972- 1975; and then served as the Associate Pastor of Allison United Methodist on the Dickinson Campus in Carlisle, PA from 1975 until 1978. He received Privilege of Call into the United Church of Christ in 1978. Pastor Fauth enjoys playing racquetball, playing the piano, gardening, singing in the church choir, and walking and hiking with Linda. Together they enjoy spending time with their son and visiting with their daughter and her husband on the island of Maui in Hawaii.
Committees:
Since the mid-sixties, Trinity has been well organized with the creation of 14 committees; each committee is responsible to our governing body, the Consistory. The Consistory is made up of 12 members, each elected for a three year term. All committee members are also on three year assignments.
Our Consistory, committees, and their members are as follows:
2008 COMMITTEE PERSONNEL
CONSISTORY
ELDERS
Nina Redding (Chair)
Ken Howe
Gail Jones
John Fuss
John Skiles
Joan Wilson
DEACONS
Bob Proctor
Pat Ziegler
Adam Blevins
Sue Henderson
Katy Giebenhain
Ryan Howe
AUDITING COMMITTEE
John Fuss
Sandy Howe
Terry Krietz
CALLED TO CARE COMMITTEE
Sarah Fuss
Mary Crockett
Judy Miller
Ann Harner
Larry Rogers
Diane Bailey
George Christopher
Darla Jean Christopher
Cathy Karchner
Pat Ziegler
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Ann Walsh
Pat Hammann
Jane Eiker
Linda Fauth
Jenny Cox
Ryan Howe
Current Church School Teachers
FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE
Bob and Jean Proctor
Ron and Elaine Milhimes
Gail Jones
Sue Dong
Cindy Kidd
Joan and Peter Wilson
Demetrius and Heather Carbaugh
Diane Bailey and Larry Rodgers
FINANCE COMMITTEE
John Fuss
Peter Wilson
Russell Redding
Brian Howe
Chris Rohm
Audrey Blackstone
Ryan Howe
Steve Sheely
Richard Guise
Ken Howe
Stacey Trumpower (Financial Administrator)
LIBRARY COMMITTEE
Jane Eiker (Chair)
Ann Harner (2008)
Josette Boglio (2009)
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Ken Howe
Ann Harvey
Joan Wilson
George Christopher
Buzz Jones
Joan Peck
OUTREACH COMMITTEE
Adam Blevins
Mary Crockett
Cindy Blevins
Ryan Stouch
Sue Henderson
Linda Skiles
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
Nina Redding
Russell Bailey
Cindy Blevins
Chris Swinn
Joan Wilson
Lou Hammann
PROPERTY COMMITTEE
John Skiles
Buck Harvey
John White
Jack Ziegler
Scot Dolly
Francis Lyons
Clyde Martin
Ron Milhimes
Steve Sheely
Peter Wilson
SOCIAL CONCERNS COMMITTEE
Pat Hammann
Don Blevins
Roberta Weiant
Ruth deJesus
Jane Malone
Russell Bailey
Sue Henderson
Andrea DiMartino
STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE
Katy Giebenhain
Buzz Jones
Joan Peck
Peter Kuhn
Clyde Martin
Bill Swisher
USHERS
Ken Howe
WORSHIP COMMITTEE
Suzy Miller
Juene McGlaughlin
Gail Jones
Katy Giebenhain
Mollie Macks
Annabelle Swisher
Harold Eiker
Nancy MacMeekin
Audrey Blackstone (ex-officio)
Jane Eiker (ex-officio)
Linda Fauth (ex-officio)
Buzz Jones (ex-officio)
Rayna Cooper (Altar Guild)
Ann Gerlitzki (Senior Choir Director)
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION: Under the leadership of our Christian Education Director, Ann Walsh, our Church School meets each Sunday September through May at 9:15 am. Classes are provided for nursery through adult. In addition to Sunday mornings, two on-going study groups also meet; one on Monday evenings from 6:00 until 7:30; and one on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 until 7:00. These groups usually base their studies on books by contemporary writers.
MUSIC: Trinity currently has a Senior Choir under the direction of Ann Gerlitzki and a Children’s Choir under the direction of Linda Fauth. Ann is a professional music teacher with the Upper Adams School District. The Children’s Choir sings once a month from September through May; the Senior Choir sings the other Sundays from September through June at our 10:30 service. During July and August various member and guest soloists provide us with special musical selections.
Our organist is the very qualified and lifetime member, Jane Eiker. She is assisted once a month by Audrey Blackstone. Audrey plays for our 8:15 services.
Since 1995 Trinity has been using The New Century Hymnal, the official hymnal of our United Church of Christ. This excellent hymnal provides us with exciting and liturgically based hymns.
Stop by and see us!
Contact us anytime:
Street Address:
Gettysburg Trinity United Church of Christ
60 East High Street
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Phone: (717) 334-7266
