The recent York Daily Record article about a new church in York, the Swedenborgians, also known as the New Church or Church of the New Jerusalem, rang a bell.
Click here for the York Daily Record article.
Members beliefs are based on the writings of theologian, philosopher and scientist, Emanuel Swedenborg (1668-1772). The theology seems to have just recently spread to York County. Or has it?
Is this congregation the first Swedenborgian church here? Maybe, maybe not.
A file on the Swedenborgians at the York County Heritage Trust Library/Archives, contained a few booklets of Swedenborg's theology. There is also an early volume of his writings in the rare book room. Most intriguing was a typed extract from York County Will Book N, giving the gist of the 1814 will of Ferdinand Wolfahrt of Manheim Township, York County, Pennsylvania. It reads:
