Oak Dale has a rich history of being a part of Christ’s Church in the Casselman Valley for over 100 years.
Oak Dale was formed as a congregation in 1895. Wanting to be more progressive, a group withdrew from the Amish Church, formed a new congregation, and became a charter member of the Conservative Mennonite Conference.
The growing congregation needed a meeting place. The first meeting house was built in 1896 along what is now Oak Dale Road, Salisbury, PA. In 1931 the building was split lengthwise with one side moved toward the roadway, to increase its size by about one-third. By 1995 the congregation once again needed a larger facility. An auditorium was added. Due to the limitations of the building and location, Oak Dale then decided to relocate. The congregation united together, a new building was built, and in 2012 the congregation moved into its current building.
Cultural changes, as difficult as they may be, were made. Preachers went from standing behind a table to a large wooden pulpit and then a glass podium. Parishioners started out sitting on straight-back benches which were replaced with more comfortable benches and then padded chairs. The German hymnbook was replaced by an English hymnbook and then projected hymns, praise songs, and contemporary songs. A cappella singing lead by a song leader was replaced with congregational singing led by a worship team, a band of singers and instrumentalists.
The core value of living out the Gospel in culturally relevant ways continue to guide congregational changes.
Through all the building and cultural changes, Oak Dale’s core beliefs have not changed. The Bible is our authority. Jesus Christ is our savior. The Holy Spirit is our power. The life and teachings of Jesus Christ are our models for living. His Amazing Grace is our only hope and what we rely on each day. May we continue to hold onto the “Faith of our Fathers”.