"The sanctuary had then an up-to-date appearance, and was the revelation of the general status of the people of the community. It was a high, square brick building, and seemed to have been started with no positive knowledge as to where the last course of brick would be laid heavenward. The building never had a chimney. It was heated by stoves, and the pipes pierced the ceiling overhead, depositing all the smoke and soot in the upper story. As they had always burned wood, what marvel it was that the church was never burned down by escaping sparks. The furniture consisted of straight-back benches and elders' amen corner, the almost perpendicular galleries on three sides but above all, and most interesting was the wine-glass pulpit, placed half way between the galleries and floors, on small round pillars, with the winding stair-way leading thereto and the large, round sounding board suspended within a few feet from the top by a stout iron rod, made to represent a sun-flower stalk with its leaves and flowers hanging from the side. The circular pulpit and sounding board were formerly used in all churches. An old father of St. Mary's, now deceased, once said that the sounding board was placed there for the purpose of dropping on the head of the minister who preached too long or did not preach the truth."
The Union of these two denominations had lasted for about one hundred and thirty years, but the time had come for separation. Eventually the Lutherans sold and the Reformed bought the union interest in the old brick union church. In 1893, the Reformed people dedicated a church at the top of the hill, across the road from the site of the discarded brick church which was torn down and sold as rubble. The "land in square about the old church" became a hitching ground, and is now a parking lot. On a corner lot at the bottom of the hill, along the main highway leading between Gettysburg and Baltimore, the Lutherans consecrated a site for their edifice.
The church was built of rocks - graystone. It is trimmed with brownstone from Hummelstown, PA.
From a newspaper clipping, quoted, in part: "One of the most interesting and important events in the history of St. Mary's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Silver Run, Carroll Co., Md., took place July 8, 1894. It was the occasion of the corner stone laying for the new edifice. The services were held in the open air, and were attended by fully two thousand people. The weather was delightful, and added very much to the impressive ceremonies..."
On Sunday, May 12, 1895 a dedication service as held. The threatening weather prevented a full turnout at the opening service, but after clouds dispersed and the sun came out, long lines of buggies came in the place until there were fully 500 of them on the grounds. After the service. Rev. Dr. Enders, of York, made a statement that the cost of the church was $16,000 and he wanted to raise the sum of $4,000 that day or he would have to break his record as a money beggar, as he was always successful in raising the required amount. The afternoon service was attended by about 1200. After the sermon Dr. Enders again took the floor and raised nearly $1,000, but this amount was not sufficient to pay the indebtedness on the church. The formal dedication was postponed until some future time as it was not deemed proper or becoming to devote the house to God until provision had been made to cover all incumbrances.
On December 20, 1896, St. Mary's Church was dedicated. The Financial statement was made by the pastor, W. H. Ehrhart, and about $600 raised during the day. Sufficient money having been raise to cash the indebtedness of the church, the same was then dedicated to Almighty God.
