EXEGESIS REPORT
Date: July 25, 2017
Location Community and/or Neighborhood:
Shiremanstown, Pa
Zip Code: 17011
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
History and Background of Community/Neighborhood:
Kidnapped from his German home and placed on a sailing vessel, a young boy (born circa 1740) found himself as a stowaway bound for America. When discovered by the captain and questioned, the scared little boy would only reply, “I’m a Shireman.” This in provincial German means “Stable Boy.” Shireman was the name put on his documents as his family name. Shireman took the first name of Daniel. He became a butcher from a very early age and all of his needs were met by his host family. He was very shrewd and saved money. By young adulthood he was in a sound financial position for a young man. He set off to make his way in the
world. He married Dorthea Creutzer in 1775. Part of the 7,751 acres of land set aside by William Penn for Indian reservations was Louther Manor. Between 1739 and 1764, Germans were settling in the Manor with the graces of the Indians. Around 1755, Peter Dicks set up the first iron ore mine in the area of Spring Grove west of the Susquehanna. Around 1770 he built a forge near the spring, becoming
Pennsylvania’s historic Spring Forge. It continued to grow and in 1775
Daniel Shireman bought out the iron forge. Much of the iron forged by Shireman’s Spring Forge was sent east toward Philadelphia to make cannons and ammunition for the American Army to fight the British just before the occupation of Philadelphia during the Revolutionary War. With money he earned during that time, Shireman bought much of the land in this area. The immigrant Daniel Shireman died in the general area of Shiremanstown on August 6, 1797 and his wife took control of his wealth until her death. Eventually their son, Daniel would take over his father’s fortune and establish the town on the land his father owned.
OBSERVATIONS:
Social Climate Observations:
Middle Class families who work in the surrounding factories. Hard working and very religious as well. There are many churches throughout this town and surrounding areas. It is made up of some families and older married couples without children.
Physical Climate Observations:
In between Camp Hill and Mechanicsburg. It is the intersection of Rt. 11 and Rt. 15 which is an intersection for commerce.
Economic Climate Observations:
Many industrial parks and factories in the region
Spiritual Climate Observations:
Many independent Baptist Churches and main line denominations. This area is flooded with churches. Primarily because of the location is easy to access from the surrounding communities. There is also a brand new Mosque on W. Main Street.
IDENTIFIED NEEDS:
Potential Needs Identified:
Family activities - BYBC or Sport camps
Light construction to fix up homes and help the elderly
Help at the Methodist Children's Home on W. Main Street
CONNECTIONS:
Connections Made During Exegesis:
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Recommendation Summary:
I would not recommend to start a church in this area. It has way to many different churches and Christian Schools. Also the economic situation would make it difficult to sustain a healthy church because you would need a lot of people to give.