A local retired Methodist minister and flight instructor was charged with indecent exposure, indecent assault and corruption of minors for a series of incidents that allegedly occurred at the Lancaster Airport over the past year.

Dennis E. Spangler, 64, of Richland Drive in Manheim Township, was charged after police said he exposed himself to and had inappropriate contact with a 13-year-old boy.

The incidents occurred inside a hangar at the Lancaster Airport between October 2008 and May 2009, police said.

Spangler is an independent flight instructor at the airport, a source at the airport said.

Spangler retired as a minister of the United Methodist Church in 2007. He had served as the pastor of Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Brownstown for about nine years until his retirement.

Before that, Spangler was pastor of Faith United Methodist Church on the Fruitville Pike, where he served for about 10 years.

A source said he was a U.S. Navy chaplain in the past.

A local official with the United Methodist Church noted that Spangler retired after serving 30 years in the full-time ministry, and had an excellent service record.

The Rev. James B. Todd, superintendent of the Southwest District of the United Methodist Church, said in a written statement that Spangler has not served as a pastor since his retirement.

Due to the pending charges against him, Spangler will not be allowed to work with children or youth in any United Methodist church, Todd said.

He also will be required to be accompanied by another adult while on any United Methodist church property.

Pastoral counseling has been offered to Spangler, the alleged victim and their families, Todd said.

"We will pray for all of the persons involved, and that the church will be a source of healing and reconciliation," he said.

Spangler was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge David Miller and released on $10,000 unsecured bail Friday.

 E-mail: cstauffer@lnpnews.com