York College of Pennsylvania traces its institutional lineage to the York County Academy, a school opened in the 1770s in downtown York, Pennsylvania that was connected to St. John's Episcopal Church, which was led by Rev. John Andrews, D.D. In 1787, the school received its charter from the General Assembly of Pennsylvania and was incorporated as the York County Academy. The Academy held a close connection with St. John's Church in York from that time until 1799. Thaddeus Stevens taught at the academy in 1815-1816, prior to establishing his law practice and serving as a U.S. congressman. York College also traces its roots to a second institution, the York Collegiate Institute (YCI), which was founded around 1872.
