The Rev. Harvey G. Schlichter, a pastor for 39 years and chronicler of the foibles and eccentricities of northeastern Carroll County towns, died April 5 of cancer at the Longview Nursing Home in Manchester. He was 71.

He was simultaneously pastor of St. Mark's United Church of Christ in Snydersburg, Lazarus United Church of Christ in Lineboro and Trinity Church of Christ in Manchester from 1950 until he retired in 1989.

He wrote "Two Centuries of Grace and Growth in Manchester," published in 1960.

Joe Getty, former director of the Historical Society of Carroll County, said of the book, "It is the best there is as far as a community history, and it captures the feel of the towns and people through the oral tradition.

"He came to Carroll County in 1950 and over a 10-year period heard and recorded the stories of the residents of the county. If he hadn't written them down, they would have been lost."

Mr. Schlichter was born in Philadelphia and was a 1948 graduate of the United Church of Christ Theological Seminary in Lancaster, Pa. He enlisted in the Navy the day after Pearl Harbor was bombed and served in the North Atlantic aboard the submarine chaser Tracen.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, the former Elizabeth Steckbeck from Narberth, Pa.; three sons, Stephen M. Schlichter of Wayne, Pa., and the Rev. Mark A. Schlichter and David J. Schlichter, both of Manchester; and four grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made to the organ fund of St. Mark's United Church of Christ, Snydersburg 21074; Lazarus United Church of Christ Memorial Organ Fund, Lineboro 21088; or the Trinity United Church of Christ Memorial Fund, Manchester 21102.

Services were held Friday.