"Anna Margaret Bortner, 1785-1868; unmarried, buried at Fissel's, After the death of her father, she bought the homestead." [1]
Fissel's Church bicentennial— Site of a bicentennial celebration this month.
GLEN ROCK — Jerusalem Union (Fissel’s) Church stands a few hundred 4 yards from an area which at one time was the hunting grounds of Susquehannock Indians.
The red brick church, founded in 1783, is about three miles west of Glen Rock, Shrewsbury Township. The congregation marks its bicentennial this month.
It was in the latter part of 1700 when Frederick Fissel (Fishel) granted an acre of land for five shillings. Almost six months later the land was granted to “Calvinistic Presbyterians” (German Reform) and Lutheran congregations.
In 1783, Lutheran and Reformed congregations were organized. By July 1, 1785, their land amounted to four acres. After 11 years the entire farm of more than 291 acres was purchased for 14 pounds 10 shillings.
The church charter was established in l814.
The original church structure was a small log building situated in the present garden of the sexton’s home. In 1793, it was replaced by a larger building. In 1851, the third church, a brick building, was completed.
The present church was constructed in 1907. Originally it was a Lutheran Church in Spring Grove. Reportedly, beams woodwork and brick were dismantled and transported to the Glen Rock rural area by horse and wagon. …
[1] Charles Henry Glatfelter, George Bortner of Codorus Twp, York County, Pennsylvania and His Descendants (1949), 37, [HathiTrust].
[2] The York Dispatch, York, Pennsylvania, June 6, 1983, page 24, [NewspapersClip].