At Oberlin / Churchville Square on Main Street stands a monument to people serving the nation. Oberlin is a small crossroads town near Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania. Place names, religious history, and remembrance give the town several clearly distinct historical perspectives.

Names and Orientation

The town’s present name comes from John Frederick Oberlin; the historic community of Churchville is now known as Oberlin. The two references answer different questions: John Frederick Oberlin explains whom Oberlin was named after; Churchville is the community’s former name. This helps put the naming history in context without confusing the former and present names.

The Square on Main Street

The name Oberlin / Churchville Square also preserves the town’s history. The square is on Main Street in Oberlin; a monument dedicated to people serving the nation stands there. Its location on Main Street and the dedication offer two distinct points of reference: one locates the square, while the other identifies the occasion for the remembrance. This adds another local connection to the naming history.

Religious History Locally and in the Surrounding Area

One prominent historical reference is the church building dating from 1793. In the community now known as Oberlin, Neidig oversaw the construction of a limestone church building. It measured 30 by 40 feet; these specific dimensions give the building a tangible sense of scale. Its significance also extends beyond local building history: the building was the first church erected by the entire denomination east of the Susquehanna.

In the nearby area, religious history also includes John Neidig. In 1793 or 1794, he established the religious tradition of the Oberlin United Brethren in Christ with services in his home on his 237-acre farm between Oberlin and Highspire. The two stories also differ in location: the limestone church building was in the community now called Oberlin; the services took place on the farm between Oberlin and Highspire. The story thus reaches from a building in town to its immediate surroundings.

Another present-day connection is Neidig Memorial United Methodist Church, an active congregation in Oberlin. If you are considering a visit, check the current service arrangements in advance.

Another Perspective on the Region

The history of work also broadens the view beyond individual buildings and squares. The Oberlin-Enhaut-Bressler area was home to many Bethlehem Steel employees. This connection covers a wider area and complements the religious stories with an industrial perspective. Scale is important when putting this in context: the church building is a specific historical reference in the community, while the Bethlehem Steel story concerns the Oberlin-Enhaut-Bressler area.

Oberlin as a Place to Find Accommodation

You can use these different scales to guide your choice of location: in Oberlin itself, the naming history, square, and church building take center stage; the farm story leads to the nearby area, while the Bethlehem Steel story concerns the Oberlin-Enhaut-Bressler area. If this local and regional history is to shape your stay, you can search specifically for a vacation rental in Oberlin.

Explore more destinations: Hummelstown, Middletown, Halifax, Harrisburg, Dauphin, Hershey, Grantville.

Go to the parent travel overview: Dauphin.