Donegal Presbyterian Church Complex

Donegal Presbyterian Church Complex is an historic Presbyterian church complex on Donegal Springs Road in East Donegal Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The church was built in 1732, and is a one-and-one-half story, three-bay-by-five bay, stuccoed stone building with a gambrel roof.

Donegal Presbyterian Church Complex
The original church is in front
Donegal Presbyterian Church Complex is located in Pennsylvania
Donegal Presbyterian Church Complex
Donegal Presbyterian Church Complex is located in the United States
Donegal Presbyterian Church Complex
LocationDonegal Springs Rd., East Donegal Township, Pennsylvania
Coordinates40°6′4″N 76°34′0″W
Area7.5 acres (3.0 ha)
Built1732
Architectural styleFederal
NRHP reference No.85001482[1]
Added to NRHPJuly 02, 1985

History and architectural features

The chapel underwent a remodeling in 1851. The adjacent cemetery is enclosed in a rough-hewn stone wall built in 1791. The property also includes the William Kerr Study House, a one-and-one-half story, five-bay brick dwelling originally built in 1810 and expanded in the early 20th century. The building was restored in 1976.[2]

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.[1][3]

In 1777, during worship services, word came to the congregation by way of an express rider, that the British General Howe was about to invade Pennsylvania. The message relayed was that the British army had advanced and had forced Washington's troops to retreat to Chadds Ford. The rider found Colonel Alexander Lowry, who was attending worship at Donegal that Sunday, and shared the news with him, to encourage Lowry to organize his men to come to General Washington's defense.

Upon learning this news, the congregation gathered around a white oak tree just outside the sanctuary. With hands joined, they vowed allegiance to the cause of the patriots, and their minister, Rev. Colin McFarquhar, who up until that time had always prayed for the King of England, united with them. From that time onward, the tree was known as the “Witness Tree.”[4]

The original Witness Tree grew and flourished for nearly three centuries, but succumbed to disease. A cast iron memorial exists in its place now.[5]

Notable burials
  • Cemetery
    Cemetery
  • Church and cemetery on an old postcard
    Church and cemetery on an old postcard
  • Church and Donegal Springs
    Church and Donegal Springs

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. "National Historic Landmarks & National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania". CRGIS: Cultural Resources Geographic Information System. Archived from the original (Searchable database) on July 21, 2007. Retrieved February 18, 2012. Note: This includes Lise Catharina Ritsch (July 1984). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Donegal Presbyterian Church Complex" (PDF). Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  3. Chiat, Marilyn Joyce Segal (1997). America's religious architecture: sacred places for every community, Preservation Press Series. John Wiley and Sons. p. 465. ISBN 0471145025. p.92, note that Chiat misidentifies the county as Franklin County.
  4. Donegal Society brochure from Donegal Presbyterian Church
  5. "Under the Live Oak: The Witness Tree Church - Donegal Presbyterian". March 3, 2011.
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