The Heritage Baptist Church in Manheim, PA, came into existence as a result of the vision of several men. Pastor Randy
Starr of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Brogue, PA, has led his church to be involved in the planting of several churches. In
1996, the Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Denver, PA, came into existence with Pastor Keith Sweitzer as the pastor. In April of
2001, these two men asked Pastor Lee Henise, who was at the time a pastor in Dividing Creek, NJ, to consider becoming the
pastor of a new work that they would start in either York or Lancaster County, PA. Pastor Henise, along with Pastors Starr
and Sweitzer, surveyed portions of Lancaster County and settled on the Neffsville area as a potential site for planting another
new church.
These men had the vision, not only to start one church, but many more like it. The goal is to train other church
planters to plant churches in neighboring communities and infiltrate Lancaster County with a good dose of fundamental Baptist
witness. Baptists have a tremendous heritage. It is imperative that we do not lose it for the next generation. We must keep
busy with the gospel message until Jesus comes again.
After one year of existence it was determined that Manheim was a central location for the members and regular
attenders. A rental property at 339 S. Main St. (Rt. 72) was secured and the church migrated to Manheim on November 1, 2002.
There have been periods of growth and development and the church continues to hold a historic Baptist position.
In 2008, a new building fund was established to raise money for a building. Visitors continue to come our way,
and we thank the Lord for each one who visits.
In the summer of 2009, we began to lay the ground work for a new church plant in the NE section of Harrisburg,
PA. Pastor W. Brandon Starnes would be the pastor of the new work to be established in the Fall of 2010.
