Church History
	The birth of Lighthouse Community Church in Red Lion, PA dates back to May 1, 1935 when a hall was rented for the first meeting place, at 30 North Main Street.

Special meetings were held for two months with Mrs. D. M. Ruffner and Rev. William Paul Darling, then pastor of the York Gospel Tabernacle, as speakers.  A real interest was shown in the meetings and in answer to prayer, a stone dwelling was purchased at 147 First Avenue.

Our first congregation moved into this building on July 1, 1935.  This stone building was built by Ely Smeltzer in 1881, and was the first school building in the borough of Red Lion.  For years it was known as the "Cradle of Education of Red Lion".  It was in this same building, that the Red Lion Evangelical Church was organized, later converted into a dwelling and then bought by the Ruffners to be used again for a church.

The services were held in the kitchen of Mr. and Mrs. Ruffner, during the time they were tearing out the rooms, on the west side of the house in order to make it into a Chapel.  When this was completed, Mr. and Mrs. Ruffner lived in the one half of the building, and the chapel used on the other side.  Remodeling of this first stone building began in April 18, 1938 and was completed and rededicated as a church, May 28, 1938.  Rev. M.C. Clemence of Harrisburg, was the speaker for the services and special music provided by the Bortner Sisters of York.  During the time of remodeling, Sunday Services were held in the Municipal Community Building, corner of First Avenue and North Charles Street, and a house rented on Boundary Avenue, Red Lion for Mr. and Mrs. Ruffner to live during renovations.  It was now that the entire stone building was used for a church and an addition was built on the porch and enclosed to be used for the Primary Department of the Sunday School and a Nursery.


The Christian and Missionary Alliance Church was organized Sunday morning, April 4, 1937 with 19 charter members.  The services was in charge of the pastor Mrs. D. M. Ruffner, assisted by the Assistant District Superintendent Rev. E.C. Anderson.  In the year of 1940 the house at 148 First Avenue, Red Lion, just across the street from the church was unoccupied.  This house was rented for Mr. and Mrs. Ruffner in order that they might live close to the church.  Mrs. D.M. Ruffner served as pastor of the church from the beginning in 1935 until April 1941.

Rev Ezra H. Patterson began his duties as pastor of the church, April 20, 1941.  During his pastorate the congregation bought the home at 40 First Avenue, to be used for parsonage, at a cost of $4,490.  While Rev. Patterson served the Red Lion church, he was also requested to hold services-prayer meetings at the Wilson Bacon home in Chanceford Township.  At these meetings the Bacon family, Walter Crawford and Ivan Keeports families started to become acquainted with Rev. Patterson and as a result came to the Red Lion Christian and Missionary Alliance church services as well.  Rev. Patterson also held other services in the Chanceford area from time to time.  He served as pastor of the church in Red Lion from April 20, 1941 to May 1945.

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