History of Ranck’s
HISTORY OF RANCK’S
Matthew 11: 28 Come onto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
The round memorial stained glass window of our Lord with His arms outstretched was moved from the 1950 sanctuary to the new sanctuary in 1986. It remains a focus for Ranck’s congregation as they worship. Worship with us and let its message fill you with peace.
The Earliest History
In 1767, a great meeting was held at Isaac Long's barn and orchard. Martin Boehm, a Mennonite minister, was the preacher, and Philip William Otterbein, a Reformed preacher who came to this country as a missionary, was present. Immediately after Boehm finished preaching, he rushed to him and threw his arms around him and said, "We are Brethren," which in later years, when the church was organized, resulted in the name "United Brethren in Christ."
In 1769, Christopher Grosh, considerd to be the father of Ranck's Church as he was listed as a preacher among these people as early as 1789, married Ann Maria Ranck and probably moved to this area from Lititz in 1773. He purchased 191 1/2 acres from John Michael Ranck in 1784.
Christopher Newcomer, an early Bishop of our church, came to preach at Christopher Grosh's home on May 20, 1802. This is considered the first preaching service and the beginning of Ranck's Church. Preaching continued in this home for forty-two years. Christopher Grosh died in 1829, and his son-in-law, Daniel Weidman, became owner of his farm and allowed the preaching to continue. In 1838, a successful revival was held by Reverends John and Casper Light and Christian Stickler, followed by a greater one in 1939-40 and organized into a class or church. A Sunday School was organized by Samuel E. Ranck and assisted by Joseph Ranck in the old school house that stood at the corner and west of the present church in 1841 and was transferred to the church in 1845.
The First Church Building
Land was purchased from Joseph Ranck to construct the church building which measured 32 by 36 feet. This building was built in 1802. The trustees of that new building were Daniel Weidman, Michael Ranck, and Joseph Ranck. The doors were placed at the south end of the building. This displeased Joseph Ranck so much that he left the church and joined the Evangelical Association. A few years later an additional ten feet were added to the south end, and the doors were placed on the north end of the building. A bell was placed on the building about 1872. In that same year, land was purchased from Samuel Sheaffer for burial purposes for $300 and again from Horace Sweigart in 1904 another acre for the cemetery. Later, Mrs. John Ewell gave one half acre for the cemetery. An annual Conference was held in this building in 1858 where three preachers were ordained: Soloman Weidman, Harry E. Hackman, and David Moyer.
Remodeling of Ranck’s Early Church
In 1922 under the pastorate of C.R. Longenecker, the church was remodeled. A new tower was built, and the two front doors were replaced with a center door and isle. New pews were added and stained glass windows were installed. The sanctuary was painted and papered. The church was first lighted with kerosene, then a gas mantel system, and after remodeling was lighted with an electric battery system until 1928 when the electric line was extended to Ranck's making it possible to install electric lights.
Addition and Remodeling-1950
On October 9. 1949, D.G. Weidman, great-grandson of Founding Father Christopher Grosh, broke ground for an addition and remodeling. It was completed in 1950. The Sanctuary was lengthened eleven feet at the pulpit end and nine feet at the entrance end, with a nursery on one side and a corrider containing a cloak rack on the other side.The sanctuary was given an arched ceiling, illuminated with indirect lighting. A round memorial window was placed above the pulpit, a new spire with a cross was erected, a new oil burner and slate roof were installed, and the outside walls were veneered with new brick to match the new addition.The new addition, to the left of the sanctuary, included a basement with a social room, kitchen, and a restroom. New classrooms, closets, and a chapel made up the first and second floors.
New Sanctuary- 1985
With the completion of the new sanctuary, including the balcony, over 275 worshippers can be seated. New oak pews and church and office furniture were crafted at New Holland Custom Woodwork. The round memorial of our Lord with His arms outstretched has been brought over from the former sanctuary and placed similarly above the pulpit.Ths sanctuary has high walls and a flat ceiling for correct acoustics, clear double hung windows like the original building of the past, and blue carpet. The walls were painted white and gray. The rear of the pulpit was specifically constructed to house the speakers of the new organ with accommodations being made to include pipes at a later date. A piano is also available on the pulpit. A new air conditioning and heating system was installed. Along with the new sanctuary, also included in the construction was a larger Narthex and cloak room outside the sanctuary, a drive-thru carport, and new offices for administration purposes. Downstairs, spacious and needed classrooms were made available. To reach the basement level from the main floor, an elevator was installed for handicapped use. Otherwise there are stairs and/or ramps to connect the balcony level to the basement.The new building was connected to the original building by an enclosed ramp. The outside walls are red brick and the roof is covered with black shingles, all to match the older structure. A new kitchen was constructed from classroom space in the 1950s section and the old sanctuary became Fellowship Hall. It later had a dropped ceiling and air conditioning installed.
