Our Beginnings
GAC owes its' beginnings to the vision of Mr. Dwaine Flemmens and Mr. William Eshbaugh, both York locals. Pastor David Muir, the Pastor of the York C&M Alliance and Rev. Raymond Dibble, Dir. of church growth for the Eastern district, provided direction for an extension church in southern York county. Several local families provided support for the idea of planting a new fellowship in the New Freedom area. The group met weekly in 1979 to discuss and plan the details for the birth of this new fellowship.
Rev. Dibble, together with the local families, worked on establishing an operational budget, a starting date for services and, most importantly, a meeting place for the new church.In October, 1979 a parsonage was rented in Shrewsbury and the Rev. Gerald R. Mapstone was appointed Pastor. On Sunday, Oct. 21, 1979 the first service was held at the New Freedom Community Center. Twenty-seven people were in attendance at this inaugural service, but attendance quickly grew. Attendance soon outgrew the existing space and had to be moved to the gym in the Community Center, setting aside other available rooms and halls for Sunday school classes. It was quickly apparent that a new site and building would be needed to accommodate the growing congregation. A 5 acre tract of land became available through Mr. and Mrs Clarence Striewig. Unfortunately, the church's request for a zoning change was rejected by the township and the acquisition of this property was never completed. Fortunately, the Striewig's were able to provided another 5 acre tract of land and proceeded to gift two additional acres for a total of seven acres in the current Glen Rock location. Fortunately, township approval for a parsonage was forthcoming. The congregation worked on completing the parsonage in May, 1981. Creation of the main sanctuary started March, 1982 and our first service in the new building took place on our third anniversary, October of 1982.
The new church began with a charter membership of 69 people. Our membership now stands at _____. Our Sunday attendance averages ______ people.
The history of any fellowship would be incomplete without reference to the spiritual temperament of the people and leaders making up that fellowship. We praise God for the many attendees and members who have either accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior or have made a decision to recommit their lives to Christ. In February, 1984, Pastor Mapstone announced his calling to serve as Minister of Christian education and church growth for the Western district. The Glenrock C&MA stood ready to continue the task it was originally commissioned to do from the very beginning - to reach the lost and those seeking the spiritual support of Jesus Christ and His gospel.
