Blue Rock Mennonite Church (Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA)
In spring 1966, some Lancaster Mennonite Conference ministers who were concerned about increased acceptance of television, life insurance, divorce and remarriage, and lessening emphasis on the prayer veil for women, began to meet to discuss options. One location was an abandoned church along Sheep Lane in Manor Township, west of Millersville in Lancaster County. The first meeting at that location took place on 17 June 1966. Sunday evening services began at the end of July, and Sunday morning services began on 24 September 1966. Benjamin Eashbach, Landis Shertzer, and David Wadel provided early pastoral leadership.
The Sheep Lane Mennonite Church was formally organized on 29 September 1967. In 1968, the congregation affiliated with the new Eastern Pennsylvania Mennonite Church.
In 1970, the congregation built the Blue Rock meetinghouse along Blue Rock Road and took the name Blue Rock Mennonite Church. The following year, it founded the Blue Rock Mennonite School.
Bibliography
Wadel, Frederick D. "Early meetings at Sheep Lane Mennonite Church." The Historical Journal" 31, no. 1 (April 2025): 4.
Additional Information
Address: 3453 Blue Rock Road, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Telephone: 717-872-9493
Website:
Denominational Affiliations:
Eastern Pennsylvania Mennonite Church
Pastoral Leaders at Blue Rock Mennonite Church
| Name | Years of Service |
|---|---|
| Benjamin C. Eshbach (1916-2006)(Bishop) | 1966-1990s |
| David N. Wadel (1933-2022) (Bishop) |
1966-1975 1975-2020? |
| Landis M. Shertzer (1883-1978) | 1966-1978 |
| Roy E. Witmer (1925-1999) | 1972-1992? |
| Stanley R. Heisey | 1975-2002? |
| Daryl L. Bair (Bishop) |
1981-2010 2010-2020s |
| J. Larry Witmer | 2003- |
| David L. Martin | 2012- |
Blue Rock Mennonite Church Membership
| Year | Members |
|---|---|
| 1966 | 49 |
| 1970 | 81 |
| 1980 | 116 |
| 1990 | 103 |
| 1997 | 129 |
| 2007 | 116 |
| 2024 | 115 |
| Author(s) | Samuel J Steiner |
|---|---|
| Date Published | May 2025 |
Cite This Article
MLA style
Steiner, Samuel J. "Blue Rock Mennonite Church (Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. May 2025. Web. 19 Jan 2026. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Blue_Rock_Mennonite_Church_(Lancaster,_Pennsylvania,_USA)&oldid=180683.
APA style
Steiner, Samuel J. (May 2025). Blue Rock Mennonite Church (Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 19 January 2026, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Blue_Rock_Mennonite_Church_(Lancaster,_Pennsylvania,_USA)&oldid=180683.
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