Schaeffer, Rev. Henry A. W.  (1915-2004)

The Rev. Dr. Henry Arthur Woodrow Schaeffer was born January 13, 1915 in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Arthur L. and Mable (Becker) Schaeffer. He graduated with a bachelor of science degree from Ursinus College in 1936, earned a bachelor of divinity degree from Lancaster Theolgical Seminary in 1939, and later a master of divinity degree. In 1955 Ursinus College bestowed upon him an honorary doctor of divinity degree. He was licensed by Schuylkill Classis, Eastern Synod on March 7, 1939 at Emanuel Church, Lansford, and ordained at his home church, Trinity Evangelical and Reformed in Tamaqua on June 29, 1939 by Schuylkill Classis. He served: Brush Creek - Manor Charge, Westmoreland County, PA 1939-1944; First and St. Stephen's, Baltimore, MD 1944-1948; Bethany, Bethlehem, PA 1948-1962; First Church, Sunbury, PA 1962-1964; and St. John's, Baltimore, MD (Catonsville) 1964 until his retirement January 1, 1981. He was named pastor emeritus of St. John's and continued to serve there part-time. He also served as interim pastor at United Evangelical Church , Canton and Immanuel United Church of Christ, Catonsville. He was on the clergy staff at Johns Hopkins for more than 20 years. He served the denomination as trustee of Cedar Crest College, as a delegate to General Synod, and as a member of the nominations committee, the Board for World Missions and the Commission on World Service. On August 19, 1939 he married Helene Schmauch in their home church in Tamaqua. They were the parents of three daughters: Sarah, E. Kathryn, and Helene. Henry Schaeffer died August 1, 2004 in the Life Care Center of Hilton Head , SC. A service took place at St. Luke's Methodist Church, Bluffton, SC on August 7. A second memorial service was held September 11 at Immanuel United Church of Christ, Catonsville, MD. Sources: obituaries in file.