A community that answered the call to service
Nestled north of Shippensburg, Middle Spring Presbyterian Church represents one of the earliest and most enduring Presbyterian congregations on the Pennsylvania frontier. Established in 1738 by Scot-Irish settlers, the church became a spiritual anchor for families carving new lives in the Cumberland Valley. It was named “Middle Spring” because of its location between the Presbyterian church in Big Spring / Newville and the Rocky Spring Presbyterian church in Chambersburg. Although the exact date of the construction of a church in Middle Spring is not known, there was a church building in use in 1738. There are three cemeteries that adjoin the church where early settlers are buried. Over time, the congregation worshiped in multiple structures, including early log buildings and a stone church completed in 1781. Structural concerns eventually led to its removal, and the present brick sanctuary was erected and dedicated in 1847, continuing a legacy of worship on or near this historic site for nearly three centuries.
During the Revolutionary War, Middle Spring Presbyterian Church was deeply connected to the patriotic cause. Several members of its congregation answered the call to service. Many ended up joining local militia units while some even enlisted into the formal Continental Army. Like many frontier communities, the church’s families provided not only soldiers, but also supplies and labor, much of which was sent to the depots at Washingtonburg (CarlisleBarracks).
Among those buried here are:
Archibald Mahon – A commissary officer stationed at Washingtonburg during the Revolution.
David Mahon – A private in the Pennsylvania Militia during the Revolutionary War.
Captain Charles McClay (MaClay) – Commanding officer of the Cumberland County Militia in 1780.
The Soldier’s Monument was originally dedicated in 1905 and again in 1910, erected to honor the men from the Middle Spring area who served in several of America’s earliest conflicts including the American Revolution.
Here is an excerpt about the Middle Spring Church from the Cumberland Valley Chronicles published by the Shippensburg Historical Society in 1976:
“It was in this church (some sources say it was from the roof) that Rev. Cooper preached his final and lengthy patriotic sermon before marching off with the men of his congregation whom he had enlisted in the militia to serve in the Revolutionary War…It is said he had been instrumental along with Rev. John Craighead, Rocky Spring pastor, in recruiting 200 men for the Colonial Army. No wonder the four Presbyterian graveyards, three at Middle Spring, plus Hanna near Newburg, are considered today as patriotic shrines.”
Address: 135 Middle Spring Road, Shippensburg, PA 17257
Access notes: Check the Middle Spring Presbyterian Church website for more information.
Services are held regularly on Sundays
Open to visitors during daytime hours
Parking available on site
Active church community, please be respectful of church and cemetery grounds
Visiting Tips:
Shippensburg offers several restaurant options close to this stop:
Monterrey Tacos, 29 East King Street, Shippensburg, 717-300-3104
University Grille, inside Clarion Hotel, 32 East King Street, Shippensburg, 717-530-1148
Forrester’s Wheelhouse Cafe, 300 North Earl Street, Shippensburg, 717-300-3606
The Lollipop Shop, 112-114 East King Street, Shippensburg, 717-530-1272
King Street Diner, 2 West King Street, Shippensburg, 717-530-1235
King & Saint Cafe, 512 West King Street, Shippensburg, 434-466-0844
Nonna Ilva, 85 West King Street, Shippensburg, 717-477-6157
Rice & Pho Vietnamese Restaurant, 100 West King Street, Shippensburg, 717-709-9988
Patriot’s Story: Captain Charles McClay
Captain Charles McClay (also recorded in period documents as MaClay) was one of many local leaders who carried the American Revolution forward far from its most famous battlefields. In 1780, at one of the most difficult moments of the war, McClay served as a captain in the Cumberland County Militia, commanding men drawn from the farms, workshops, and crossroads communities of western Pennsylvania. By 1780, the Revolution had become a grinding test of endurance. Pennsylvania faced manpower shortages, runaway inflation, and persistent fears of British raids, Loyalist activity, and frontier violence. In this environment, militia officers like McClay bore immense responsibility. They were tasked not only with drilling and leading troops, but also with maintaining order, enforcing wartime regulations, responding to alarms, and ensuring that local communities remained committed to a cause that demanded constant sacrifice.
As a captain, McClay would have been directly responsible for organizing his company—calling men into service, overseeing musters, and ensuring readiness when danger threatened. His authority rested not on a distant commission alone, but on personal trust. Militia officers were chosen because their neighbors believed they possessed steadiness, judgment, and loyalty to the Patriot cause.
McClay’s life was rooted in the Shippensburg area, and his final resting place at Middle Spring Presbyterian Church Cemetery reflects the close ties between faith, community leadership, and military service in Revolutionary-era Cumberland County.
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What Did a Cumberland County Militia Captain Do?
During the American Revolution, militia service formed the backbone of local defense—especially in Pennsylvania’s interior counties.
Militia captains such as Charles McClay:
Commanded local men, often neighbors and relatives.
Responded to short-term emergencies rather than long campaigns.
Protected towns, farms, supply routes, and prisoners.
Enforced wartime laws, including loyalty oaths and supply requisitions.
Balanced military duty with civilian life.
Militia units could be called out for days or weeks at a time, often with little notice. Officers were expected to maintain discipline among men who were not professional soldiers and who faced real hardship leaving their homes and livelihoods.
By 1780, militia leadership had become especially demanding. The war dragged on, enthusiasm waned, and resources were scarce. Serving as a militia captain required moral authority, organizational skill, and resilience. While these officers rarely appear in traditional battlefield histories, their service was essential to keeping Pennsylvania and the Revolution alive.
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Content in this section was curated by volunteers from the Army Heritage Center Foundation.