About Us
Pastor Tina Moyer currently serves as pastor of Otterbein United Methodist Church since July 1, 2023.
Tina Moyer is a Licensed Pastor with the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church. Pastor Tina is a graduate of United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. She grew up in a suburb of Philadelphia, but has been happy to call south central PA home for more than 20 years. She has a bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, and spent 13 years working as a hospital laboratory technician. When her two boys were small, she left that career to become a full-time home-schooling parent. Now that her boys are grown, she is happy to be serving in full-time ministry. Pastor Tina previously served at Wesley United Methodist Church in Mechanicsburg. She likes to say that religion is not about rules, it’s about relationships. She feels that prayer and discipleship are a lifestyle, not a practice.
In May 1845, a tract of land was purchased from Henry Clippinger for use as "burying grounds".
Known as Mower's Church and Otterbein Chapel during its early history, a building of one large room and a vestibule was erected. Worship was held regularly at that location. On June 17, 1945, Otterbein Church observed the one hundredth anniversary of the building of the "old brick church". Some years later, it was deemed necessary to expand for the present and the future. Eight and one half acres of land, located across the road from the brick church, were purchased from John Cover.
Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on Sunday afternoon of February 26, 1956. The cornerstone was laid in a service conducted by the late Dr. Paul E. Shannon and Reverend Roland E. Garvin on June 17, 1956. Members and friends contributed many hours of labor, allowing for considerable savings. The new, completed church building was dedicated on December 1, 1957, beginning a new tradition of worship and ministry. Over the years, a number of improvements have been made to what has come to be known as Otterbein United Methodist Church.
Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on Sunday April 17th, 2011 for the next chapter at Otterbein United Methodist Church. Reconsecration services were held on Sunday January 22, 2012 for the completion of the new addition and renovation.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF OTTERBEIN
CHURCH
According to past
records, in the year 1832, a church of the United Brethren in Christ was
organized near Mowersville, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. This may be said to
be the formal beginning of the Otterbein United Methodist Church. It is located
near Mowersville, on Paxton Run Road, Newburg, Pennsylvania.
The people of the community felt a need for a regular house of worship and they authorized their trustees, John Mower, Jacob Kreider, and Joseph Mower to purchase land for the erection of a church. In May 1845, these trustees purchased a tract of land from John Mowery for the erection of their building, and another adjoining piece of land from Henry Clippinger for use as a “burying grounds.”
Otterbein Church has been known as Mower’s Church and Otterbein Chapel during the early history. The building of a large room and vestibule remained unchanged throughout its one hundred and twelve years of use, except for necessary repairs to maintain the building in good condition.
Many Christian leaders have come from this congregation. It is impossible to name them all. Several who might be cited for outstanding service in the denomination are: Samuel D. Faust, D.D. who served as a professor at Bonebrake Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio, from 1893-1926. W.G. Clippinger, D.D. president of Otterbein College, Westerville, Ohio, from 1909-1939 and the Rev. Harry Baker, one-time pastor of our church at Enola, Pennsylvania.
On June 17, 1945, Otterbein Church observed the one hundredth anniversary of the building of “the old brick church.” Some years later, it was deemed necessary to expand for future developments. Eight and one-half acres of land was purchased from John Cover across the road from the old location, which is now the site of the present building.
Otterbein Church has been a part of several changes brought about through merger on the denominational level. In November 1946, after the consummation of the Plan of Union by both General Conferences in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, the Otterbein United Brethren in Christ Church became the Otterbein Evangelical United Brethren Church (EUB).
Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on Sunday afternoon, February 26, 1956. Cornerstone laying was conducted by the late Dr. Paul E. Shannon, and the pastor Roland E. Garvin, on June 17, 1956. The new church was dedicated on December 1, 1957. Many hours of labor were contributed by members and friends of the church and much money saved in the construction of the building.
Otterbein was the home church of four young men who entered the ministry since 1960. The Rev. John Ile, Jr. is a retired pastor of the Shiremanstown United Methodist Church. The Rev. Wayne Heberlig is a retired pastor of the Mount Wolf United Methodist Church. The Rev. Kenneth Rebok retired from serving in Dayton, Ohio, is now deceased. Dr. John Brenneman was a Medical Missionary in Bangladesh and is a retired physician in Shippensburg.
In April 1968, in Dallas, Texas, when the Plan of Union was made effective by Uniting Conference, the Otterbein Evangelical United Brethren Church became the Otterbein United Methodist Church.
During the late sixties a new pipe organ and new hymnal books were purchased. An Outdoor Chapel was added for worship in the outdoors. A portable sound system was later purchased to use outside. Easter Sunrise Services, hymn sings and also weddings have been held at the outdoor chapel.
Otterbein for many years was a part of the Newburg Charge (Newburg, Hopewell, Otterbein) with the same pastor. On January 1, 1975, Otterbein became part of the Roxbury United Methodist Charge, with Rev. Ronald S. McElwee as pastor.
Renovations and improvements over the year included, enclosed outside vestibule, upholstered pew seats, new roof, drape liners, lowering of the ceiling and carpeting the overflow room, nursery, and insulation in ceilings.
On May 3, 1976, the Administrative Board of the Otterbein United Methodist Church was approached by some of the younger members with a dream for a tennis court on the church grounds. On September 25, 1976, Otterbein Recreation Dedication was held for a tennis court, basketball, volleyball, and horseshoe pitching facilities.
In 1979 a new parsonage for the Roxbury Charge was built on the grounds of the Otterbein United Methodist Church. In the same year a room behind the choir area was made into a Church office. Later a part-time secretary was hired to assist the pastor in this office.
A new mower was purchased in 1981 to help care for the grounds surrounding the church.
In 1986 the basement was renovated with the installation of new ceiling and lights, new floor coverings, new emergency lighting system was installed.
A Picnic Pavilion was built in the summer of 1994.
On July 31, 1996, a Rodgers organ was purchased from Buch Church Organ Company in Ephrata, PA.
Renovations were made by painting the interior of the church and the installation of new drapes. The nursery was enlarged with a handicapped accessible rest room. The main entrance was fitted with steel doors and the surrounding work was covered with aluminum.
In 2002 a new steeple was installed on the church.
In 2006, we became the Cumberland Charge with Hopewell and Otterbein.
On May 20, 2007, recommendations and vote to approve the plan for alterations and addition to the church facility, to approve the plan for financing and authorize the Finance Committee to raise necessary funds for the project. We will return on a future date with completed plans for final Church Conference approval and authorization to begin the work.
In May of 2009 a sound and media system was installed.
A special church conference was held on March 7, 2011. The building project was approved. R.S. Mowery was chosen as our general contractor for the addition.
A groundbreaking service for the addition was held on April 17, 2011.
A community Open House was held on Saturday, January 21, 2012, inviting the community to check out the new facilities.
A Re-Consecration Service was held on Sunday, January 22, 2012 – previous pastors, contractor and sub-contractors were invited to worship and a lunch afterwards.
In 2018, we became the Christ-Otterbein Charge with Christ UMC of Shippensburg, PA.
PASTORS SERVING IN THE NEW SANCTUARY
Roland E. Garvin 1954 - 1963
James Schuman 1963 - 1964
Marlin Lauver 1964 - 1971
Michael Gardy 1971 - Jan. 1975
Ronald McElwee Jan. 1975 - 1976
William Summerhill 1976 - 1979
Richard Dietrich 1979 - 1980
Preston Haugh 1980 - 1988
Earl F. Barrick 1988 - 1998
Mark Hagy 1998 - 2002
Bonnie Ort 2002 - 2009
Phyllis Hunter 2009 - 2011
Cheryl Houser 2011 - 2015
Susan Stewart 2015 - 2018
Bruce Levy 2018 - 2022
John Quintilian 2022 - May 2, 2023
Rev. Ruth Ward May 14, 2023 - June 18, 2023 (interim pastor)
Christina Moyer July 1, 2023 - current
15634 Paxton Run Road
Newburg, PA 17240
717-423-5218
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