Our Story

In 1758, Elder Jacob Tanner (Donner) organized a church south of York called the Codorus Church.  About 1770, Henry Neff was ordained and took over leadership of the congregation.  At that time the Codorus congregation had thirty-five members.

      From 1770 until 1872 this congregation worshipped in the homes of the members. Several homes still stand in which the evidence of being able to remove partitions for worship services is still apparent. From 1872 to September 25, 1966, the Codorus congregation worshipped in a brick structure that was where the lower parking lot is now located.

      Rev. David C. Wilson became the first full-time pastor of the congregation in July 1957.  During the years of his pastorate, it became apparent that enlargement of the facilities was necessary for the growing church.  Rev. William L. Gould came to Codorus from Lebanon on December 1, 1963.  He and the congregation set out immediately to take steps toward building.  A plateau was created along the hillside and the new structure began to rise from the valley in the fall of 1965.  The first service of worship was conducted on September 25, 1966, in the new church.

     In 1970, Jimmy R. Ross was called as pastor of Codorus and served the congregation for thirteen years.  Don Rummel then became pastor and served for three years.  Joe Detrick was called in 1988 and served until he was called to become the District Executive for Southern Pennsylvania District in 1998.  It was during his pastorate that Ruth Fitz was called for Youth minister and Nancy Jones was called for Minister of Congregational Care.  Robert Dell came to Codorus as an interim pastor and served until September 1999 when a call was extended to become the Senior Pastor.  Following Pastor Dell’s retirement in 2007, Codorus called Eric Ritenour as Associate Pastor and Rick Fischl as Senior Pastor.  Pastor Rick and his wife Debbie served the Church well until he was called by God to retire. He worked very well with Pastor Eric until Eric and his wife; Rhonda were called away to eventually become house parents at Milton Hershey School in 2013. At that time Pastor Ben stepped into many roles to continue the ministry with Pastor Rick, after being the Youth Minister for many years. Pastor Ben served at the Church until the end of 2020. Duane Bahn assisted Pastor Ben with the ministry work after Pastor Rick's retirement in 2017. Pastor Bob Krouse stepped in as Interim Pastor in 2020 to July of 2022.

Sharon Schemel joined the Codorus Church team as our Office Manager in August of 2024. Sharon is a Dallastown HS and Mansfield University graduate. She relocated to NJ for 24 years to pursue a career in retail, but happily returned to York County in 2011. Sharon brings over 20 years of administrative office experience with her. Outside of the office, Sharon looks forward to time spent with her husband and their two dogs; she actively volunteers for dachshund rescue; and, she enjoys performing in a local band.

Join us every Sunday as we gather to worship together a 9 am and 10:20 am.