Liberty Township near Fairfield in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Fountaindale Lutheran Church and Cemetery
Photographed by Larry Gertner, April 7, 2018
1. The Fountaindale Lutheran Church and Cemetery Marker
At this site, on December 8, 1842, the Lutheran Church of Fountaindale was consecrated by pastor Solomon Sentman. The church was built on land owned by Joseph and Isaac Baugher, and previously owned by Daniel Sprenkle. In 1842, there were 55 members, and the membership grew to its peak of 95 by late 1843. In 1855, a new Lutheran Church was built at Fairfield, and by 1859, the last known Pastor here, Henry Bishop, no longer reported Fountaindale as one of his congregations.
On April 7, 1871, the Fairfield Church authorized the sale of the building and its contents. Many descendants of these early congregations still live in the area.
Cemetery
The earliest known burial here was Daniel Sprenkle, a Revolutionary War veteran who died on November 6, 1821. The may be the reason why this site was chosen for the Church and cemetery. On July 3, 1863, a Confederate soldier died from wounds he received at Gettysburg and was buried here.
Fountaindale Lutheran Church and the Civil War
In October of 1862, Church member Sandford Schroder, who owned a local sawmill and tannery, was taken prisoner near here by Confederate General
this page online
On Sunday, June 28, 1863, twenty five Confederate soldiers under Lieutenant John Chamberlayne, Pegrams Artillery entered the church during morning services. They captured 20 horses, however upon their attempt to escape, Lt. Chamberlayne and six of his men were captured by a detachment of Coles Cavalry, Company C, under Lieutenant William Horner, near the brick schoolhouse by the church. Ten other Confederate soldiers were later captured near Fairfield by Fountaindale resident and Union Private Henry Turle, of Company C, Coles cavalry.
Sign erected by Fairfield Troop 76 BSA April 2014
Erected 2014 by Fairfield Troop 76 BSA.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Religion & Religious Structures • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is December 8, 1842.
Location. 39° 44.62′ N, 77° 24.801′ W. Marker is near Fairfield, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Liberty Township. It is at the intersection of Jacks
Photographed by Larry Gertner, April 7, 2018
2. The Fountaindale Lutheran Church and Cemetery site
Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Battle Of Monterey Pass (approx. 2.2 miles away); The Battle of Monterey Pass (approx. 2.2 miles away); The Battle of Fountain Dale (approx. 2.2 miles away); Before The Battle Of Gettysburg (approx. 2.2 miles away); Jacks Mountain Road Covered Bridge (approx. 2.2 miles away); Eyes In The Dark (approx. 2.8 miles away); John Hanson "Hance" Steelman (approx. 2.9 miles away); a different marker also named
Photographed by Larry Gertner, April 7, 2018
3. The Fountaindale Lutheran Cemetery
The Union and Confederate do not necessarily mark soldiers' graves; many of the headstones are well worn.
Photographed by Larry Gertner, April 7, 2018
4. Insert - Civil War era map
The church's location on the original route of the Waynesboro Road.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 10, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 1,028 times since then and 49 times this year. Last updated on May 22, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 10, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
