A Brief History of

Church of the Transfiguration

And

Calvary Chapel

Church of the Transfiguration and Calvary Chapel are two churches that make up one parish in the Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania.  We have two separate church facilities and share one vestry.

Church of the Transfiguration

 The Church of the Transfiguration began as a house church in the late 1800’s when summer visitors to Blue Ridge Summit felt a need for worship in the Episcopal tradition.  At that time there was no Episcopal church nearby.  Homes were first used to hold worship, and visiting clergy filled the needs of the people. When the homes could no longer accommodate the increasing number of worshippers a summer church was built.  Transfiguration was incorporated as part of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania in 1892.

 The church grew and a parish house was built, which became the center of much activity in the Blue Ridge Summit area.  It housed a library, basketball court, bowling alley, large kitchen for suppers, a stage for plays, and an apartment for the rector. 

 Later the summer population dwindled on the Summit with the advent of air conditioning and each family owning an automobile.  So it was decided in the early1960’s to convert the parish house into the present church building, using the altar, windows, mosaic of the Transfiguration, and other fixtures from the summer church.  The summer church was then sold.  Presently the church draws people from the Waynesboro area, Blue Ridge Summit, western Adams County, PA, and Frederick and Washington counties in MD.

 The Church of the Transfiguration is made of gray stone quarried from the local hills.  The interior features beautiful wooden arches and ceiling, and our historical Adam Stein organ, which is over 100 year old.

 Calvary Chapel

 Calvary Chapel is a parochial mission of Church of the Transfiguration.  Its history dates back to 1906 when The Rev. Dr. Edward Hardcastle, rector of Transfiguration, attempted the founding of a church in the South Penn Mountains.  The response was so great that soon began the building and equipping of a church on land donated by Mr. Harvey Gehr.

 During the first part of the 20^th Century the growth and development of Calvary was greatly aided by Miss Henrietta Dickey.  She donated the lovely Tiffany window above the altar.  It depicts the Crosses of Calvary.  She also donated the schoolhouse (Calvary House), which now is Calvary’s education building and fellowship hall.  She sponsored over 500 individuals for baptism during her lifetime, and her earthly remains are buried in the cemetery next to the Chapel.

 The interior of Calvary was originally weatherboard, and is now covered with vinyl siding.  The interior consists of wainscoted paneling.