The year 2003 was a year for the people of Grace to celebrate. Our congregation has been proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ in the community centered around Belfast, Pennsylvania, for 175 years!
Beginning way back in 1828, Lutheran Christians, most of whom were very recent immigrants, came together in faith to begin a new ministry and a new church in the “new world.” Our ancestors’ reason for doing so can be found in the preamble to the earliest constitution of what was then called the Belfast Union Church.
Whereas it had appeared desirable to the friend of religion in this neighborhood that a church and school house be erected in the southeast part of Bushkill Township . . . inasmuch as the population of this vicinity hath rapidly increased in late years, and there is no place of worship within three miles of the place specified.
A distance of three miles to go to church seems like nothing to us today; but keep in mind that, back then, when one went to church, it was either on foot or by horse-drawn carriage! The modern practice of “church-shopping” was unheard of. One joined the nearest church of one’s faith and one was a member of that church for life.
So, our ancestors who had a vision for a new church were looking for a permanent place of worship for their family and their family’s descendants. Some of you are the direct descendants of those people of vision. While the name has changed, the congregation that was originally called the Evangelical Congregation of the Union Church (in many parts of Europe, Lutherans were called “Evangelicals”), has indeed survived and thrived.
Our ancestors who started this church because “the population of this vicinity hath rapidly increased,” would be absolutely astounded if they could come back today and see how this community has grown! And Grace Church has grown along with the community. In the first years of the 21st century, that growth continues, and very exciting times are ahead for the congregation our ancestors started 175 years ago.
Anniversaries and birthdays - those times when we celebrate milestones in our lives - are truly special, and so we celebrate. But anniversaries are not just times to rest on our laurels and celebrate the accomplishments of the past. They are also a time to look ahead to the future and dream of where God might yet be calling us. How do we want our descendants 175 years from now to look upon us? Hopefully, they will look back upon us in the same way we look back upon our ancestors: as people of vision that had a glorious plan for the generations to come.
As we look back on the past in this coming year, we can rightfully pat ourselves on the back for a job well done. But as we look to the future, God challenges us to dream even bigger dreams, and calls ut to even bigger challenges in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In the words of our Communion liturgy, may God help us to “Gather a harvest from the seeds that were sown,” and “Gather the hopes and dreams of all,” as we soar off to new horizons in the next 175 years. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY !
THE 19TH CENTURY:
HISTORY OF THE EVANGELICAL CONGREGATION OF THE UNION CHURCH
No one knows who first suggested the building of this House of God. One of the principal reasons for erecting the Belfast Union Church can be found in the preamble to the constitution, “Whereas it hath appeared desirable to the friend of religion in this neighborhood that a church and school house be erected in the southeast part of Bushkill Township . . . . inasmuch as the population of this vicinity hath rapidly increased in late years, and there is no place of worship within three miles of the place specified.” The first meeting of persons interested in building a new church was held at the home of William Henry (presently owned by Mrs. William Williamson) in Belfast on February 24, 1828. A constitution was adopted and three trustees (Lewis Micke, John J. Henry and Thomas Gold) representing the Reformed, Lutheran, and Moravian faiths were elected and charged with the administration of the church. Mr. William Henry was elected treasurer, Lewis Micke, Dr. John J. Rogers, Thomas Gold, William Henry Jr. and Matthew Henry were elected to the building committee and seven persons were appointed collectors. The building committee met on February 27, 1828, and selected a place to erect the church. According to the town plot of 1828, the union church is located on Lot #5 at the corner of Union and Belleville Streets. Messrs. Micke, Rogers and Gold were “decidedly in favor of this location but Messrs. Matthew and William Henry were anxious to have the new church erected at a location in Jacobsburg.” Belfast was called Tria and Belleville in 1828.
Dr. John J. Rogers, a member and officer of the Reformed Church, donated the land for the church lot together with the old graveyard. The original deed is recorded in Deed Book E, Volume 5, page 134 and it was delivered on June 23, 1828, one day before the laying of the cornerstone. Equal rights were granted by the deed to the three faiths. The Reformed and Lutheran Churches have added several acres to this tract called the Belfast Cemetery. Mr. Charles Buss and wife sold this tract of land to Daniel and Mary Metz (believed to have started “The Belfast Cemetery”) on February 15, 1890. Mr. David Metz and six shareholders became incorporated with a capital stock of $1200 called “The Belfast Cemetery” on January 6, 1890. This land was acquired by the union church in 1896 from Lawrence Gellner, administrator of the Estate of Nicholas Boerner, for $550. Mrs. Sabina Keller and Levi Hawk loaned money toward the cemetery payment. Upon the advice of Moravian Church officials, Mr. E. T. Henry, trustee of the Moravian Church issued a deed of their one-third interest in the property to the Lutheran and Reformed congregatioins on March 21, 1903, recorded in Deed Book F, Volume 33, page 77.
On June 24, 1818, services were held for the laying of the corner-stone. The officiating clergy were Reverend J. Augustus Probst, Lutheran Pastor of Fork’s Church, Reverend William Lambert, Reformed Pastor, and Reverend Lewis Schweinitz, Moravian Pastor. No details are given on the dedication of the church except the date, December 21 and 22, 1828.
According to the records, the original cost of the church, not including free labor, was $1,907. There was a debt of $500 upon dedication of the church, but this was paid in January of 1844. It is interesting to note that the three largest donors - John J. Henry, William Henry and Matthew Henry - all gave $200 apiece even though they were members of the Moravian Church at Schoeneck. The church was originally built with a gallery at the west gable end. The congregations decided to add a gallery in the south and the east end of the church on November 15, 1851, at a cost of $219.48. The sum of $297.36 was collected toward this purpose.
The old records, mostly in English, were incomplete and poorly kept. Reverend F. W. Meendsen administered the first Lutheran communion to 15 persons on October 15, 1834. Nothing more appears until September 18, 1836, when Reverend Frederick Schmidt administered communion to 19 persons. After 1850, the Lutheran communicants are listed regularly. A history of the Allentown Conference states, “The Reformed Church, according to the communicant lists, must have been in the beginning of this union church about twice as strong as the Lutheran Church.” The Reformed Church continued to be the stronger until about 1845 when membership was about equal. But in 1849 the Lutheran Congregatioin added many members under Rev. Augustus Fuchs, swelling their membership to 57, while the Reformed recorded a list of 32. The Lutheran congregation was stronger than the Reformed during the pastorate of Fuchs, Wagner, Kuntz, and Erdman (1845-1904).
For a period of 32 years up to 1862, the members of the Union Church worshiped without the use of an organ. The singing at times had been led by a person called a “foresinger.” A second-hand pipe organ was purchased from Catherine George for the sum of $150 and dedicated March 14, 1862. For 25 years the instrument was used, then disposed of and a new Reed organ purchased and dedicated December 4, 1887. It was replaced with a second-hand pipe organ bought from St. John’s Lutheran Church in Nazareth. Since the dedication of the first organ there have been eleven regular organists: Lewis Clewell 1862-1865 Reuben Kotz 1891-1893 Julius Friebely 1866-1867 Charles Rader 1894-1897 Charles Woehrle 1868-1879 Annie Clewell 1898-1901 Samuel Heller 1879-1880 Mrs. Ida Riegel 1902 Frances Fehr 1881-1887 Mrs. E. P. Laub 1903-1904 Oliver Steinmetz 1888-1890 Miss Laura Stetler 1905-1906
The question of repairing the church was discussed already in 1894. The Union Church took action to make necessary repairs to their church property in 1902 and ample funds were secured to make the repairs. However, some members and officers felt a new church should be built and at a congregational meeting held February 21, 1903, it was unanimously decided to build a new church instead of repairing the old one. A Finance Committee was appointed with the understanding that when $2,000 worth of pledges were obtained a new church would be built. In about three months $3,000 was pledged; but then a dissension arose among the building committee and the membership as to the location of the new church, whether on the old foundation or on a part of the new cemetery. Several compromise meetings followed and on January 1, 1904, the action of February 21, 1903, was rescinded. The Lutheran congregation, in the meantime, was making plans for the erection of a separate Lutheran Church. The following was noted in the Allentown Conference History: “As the excavation was in progress for the new Lutheran Church, Rev. William Brong, through the president, John Berger, called a meeting in the Union Church on Monday evening, August 8, 1904, to vote on repairing said Union Church.”
“After two hours of discussion, which was more or less friendly, it was decided without a dissenting vote that Eugene Mohn, Owen Kostenbader, and Asher Rader be constituted a building committee, authorized to remodel and repair the Belfast Union Church, on the condition that the Belfast Lutheran Congregation not be held responsible for any of the debt.” Grace Lutheran Church was dedicated on September 3, 1905, and Rev. Erdman continued to preach in the Union Church during 1905 and 1906. His last preaching appointment in the old church was scheduled August 19, 1906. Rev. Brong had preaching services every two weeks until the Articles of Separation were signed by both congregations on January 11, 1908.
Rev. Frederick W. Meendsen (to 1834) - Born in Denmark on December 11, 1780, he studied theology in Philadelphia in 1808 - 1809 and on June 29, 1810, was licensed to preach. He spent his entire ministry at the Cherryville Parish and was the pastor there for 42 years, and also was the first pastor at Christ Church, Little Moore.
He died on August 5, 1871, and during his entire ministry he served as many as 10 congregations.
Rev. Frederick Schmidt (to 1838) - Very little is known about this pastor, although the Allentown Conference History refers to him as Professor Schmidt. It was noted in the church records that he administered communion to 19 persons at the Belfast Union Church.
Rev. Augustus Fuchs (1839 - 1860) - A native of Hanover, Germany, he prepared for missionary work among the American Indians. He arrived in America on July 10, 1831, studied theology at Gettysburg Seminary, was licensed to preach on June 4, 1834, and accepted a call to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bath in 1834. He was the first pastor at Bath and Howertown, and for 40 years served Plainfield, Altonah, Belfast Union Church, Petersville, besides Bath and Howertown. He died December 20, 1879.
Rev. Reuben S. Wagner (1867 - 1869) - Rev. Wagner was the pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church of Nazareth (1867 - 1869) and began his pastorate at Belfast April 22, 1867.
Rev. David Kuntz (1869 - 1877) - A son of the Allentown Conference, Pastor Kuntz obtained his theological training as a student in the parsonage of Rev. J.J. Schindel. He preached at Kreidersville from 1857 - 1869, was pastor at Arndt’s from 1871 - 1906 and preached at St. John’s of Nazareth from 1870 - 1901. He was pastor in 1870 of St. John’s Nazareth, Salem, Fork’s and Arndt’s Churches. He preached his last sermon at the Union Church of Belfast on November 4, 1877.
Rev. Asa Edward Erdman (1877 - 1907) - The Lutheran Congregation at Belfast had services every two weeks beginning with Rev. Erdman’s pastorate. Rev. Erdman was born July 27, 1852, entered Muhlenberg College in 1870 and was graduated in 1874. He studied theology at Mr. Airy Seminary in Philadelphia and was ordained into the ministry on May 30, 1877. He received and accepted a call from the Plainfield Lutheran Parish in 1877, which he served 30 years. Rev. Erdman organized St. John’s Lutheran Church of Pen Argyl in 1883 when it was a village of 400 inhabitants, and in 1894 was instrumental in organizing the Trinity Lutheran Church of Wind Gap. Rev. Erdman rendered invaluable assistance to the congregation in the erection of Grace Lutheran Church subsequent to the separation at Belfast in 1904. In 1907 he resigned at the age of 55 years as the pastor of the Plainfield Lutheran Parish intending to retire from the active ministry. After six months he supplied the Moorestown Parish during the illness of Rev. Andres. Upon Rev. Andres’ death he accepted the call to the parish which he served (1910 - 1922) until his death on August 9, 1922.
THE 20TH CENTURY:
HISTORY OF GRACE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH BELFAST, PA
During the years 1902, 1903, and 1904, sentiments was growing for the erection of a new church - a new Lutheran Church. It is recorded in the minutes of the Lutheran Congregation of the Union Church, dated June 12, 1904: “A motion was made and seconded that Rev. Erdman should see the members of the Lutheran Congregation in regards to repairing the old church and also the possibility of building a new Lutheran Church. Motion carried unanimously.” Rev. Erdman reported to the Council eight days later that he had seen a number of the Lutheran members of the congregation and he secured pledges of $1,600 more or less and a few members were willing to give toward repairing the old church and many members would give nothing. A congregational meeting was held Sunday, July 12, 1904, to decide whether or not a Lutheran Church would be built provided a starting pledge of $2,000 could be raised. A committee of three - Charles Gold, Harvey Breidinger and E.P. Laub - were appointed to secure ground for the building of a new church. The special congregational meeting was held July 11, 1904, instead of July 12, 1904. It was recorded in the minutes: “It was unanimously decided to accept the resolution as presented by the council except that should the subscriptions be within $100 of the amount specified by the council, the committee should secure the land from Peter Williamson.” The locating committee was charged to act as the building committee. A finance commitee - Benjamin Young, Fred Williamson, John Berger - was appointed. The building committee was also instructed to have plans drawn for the new church and Milton Hahn of Wind Gap was secured to draw these plans.
The joint membership was divided into two factions by the dissension among the building committee, and the Union Church members regarding the repairing of the old church or the building of a new church (1902-1903-1904). Action was taken on February 21, 1903, to build a new Union Church instead of repairing the old church. This action was rescinded by the congregations on January 1, 1904, after disagreement by the building committee regarding the location of the new church. The dissension came full circle in 1904 when Lutheran members of the Union Church intensified their desire for a separate Lutheran Church.
Everything started to take shape after Peter and Emma Williamson “donated the land” for the new Lutheran Church. Before the deed was delivered, excavation had begun and the stone foundation was being erected by Henry Wentzell of Bushkill Township. The deed was executed September 8, 1904, recorded at Easton and the corner-stone laid on October 2, 1904. Work was then begun by the general contractor, Amandus Roth of Nazareth at a cost of $2,372.46. The church was dedicated September 3, 1905, one year after the awarding of the contract to Mr. Roth, with Rev. Professor G.F. Spieker of Mt. Airy Seminary, Philadelphia, preaching the sermon. Although special services were held September 5, 6, 7 & 10, no records were kept regarding the nature of these services. The total cost of the new building was $4,236.34 not including free labor valued at $500 and the building lots appraised at $350. According to the statement of Edwin Laub, building fund treasurer, the following items were paid: Amandus Roth $2,373.46 Henry Wentzell - Foundation wall 152.50 Thomas Miller - heater & spouting 158.23 Neff Chattoe Co. - windows 280.00 Wunderly Brothers - pews 494.00 Organ 75.00 Pulpit and Lectern 60.00 Hersh Brothers - metal ceiling 157.20 Carpet 127.00 Slate 90.00 Pulpit chairs 35.00 Hymn board 50.00 Corner-stone 5.00 Land Survey 3.86 Milton Harh - church plans 3.00 Thomas Sandt - plastering 53.45 Lamps 21.00 Cement walks 62.00 Choir chairs 24.00 Book case 10.00 Painting Ceiling 18.00
A small debt still existed upon the dedication of the church. Rev. Erdman, in a report to the synod, stated a debt of $400.00 was still required to be paid. A strenuous effort was made to erase the church’s indebtedness in observance of the first anniversary of the dedication. The effort was successful because the collector’s book lists 41 persons contributing $419.50 towards the debt with Rev. and Mrs. Erdman donating $100.00
According to the deed given by Peter and Emma Williamson, the legal consideration of the two tracts of land was $100, but church records noted “lot donated” by Peter Williamson. The deed was recorded at Easton on September 15, 1904, in Deed Book “B”, Volume 34, page 26. The trustees were authorized to sign the note for the ground at a special meeting of council on September 3, 1904. It is believed Mr. Williamson cancelled the note and gave the ground as a donation to the church. A ten-foot wide alley separates the two tracts conveyed to the church. The tract on which the church is built contains 15,000 square feet of land with the second tract containing 18,120 square feet.
Grace Lutheran Church made application for a charter of incorporation on July 21, 1907, upon the advice of Attorney Herbert F. Laub. The charter, filed August 14, 1907, was granted by Judge Henry W. Scott on September 9, 1907. The Council - Stephen Gold, Clinton Jones, Ed Breidinger, William Young, John Kolb, Steward Metz, Charles Gold, John Berger, Harvey Breidinger - signed the application. Attorney Herbert Laub was instructed by the congregation to prepare The Articles of Separation for presentation to the Reformed Congregation. On October 27, 1907, the congregation was asked to vote for or against the articles . . . authorizing the trustees to conduct negotiations to enter into an agreement for a partition and a division of the Union Church. On December 7, 1907, the Lutheran Congregation, with approval of its congregation, presented these articles to the Reformed Congregation to be accepted. The Lutheran Committee - Charles Gold, Harvey Breidinger and John Berger - and the Reformed Committee - Owen Kostenbader and John Ruth - were to conduct negotiations and sign the agreements. The articles, with eleven conditions, were signed on January 11, 1908 by the Grace Lutheran Trustees and the Reformed Church Committee conveying to the Reformed Church one-half interest in the Union Church property for the sum of $50, reserving one-half interest in the cemetery and graveyard.
The members of Grace Lutheran Church always worshiped with the aid of an organ beginning with the day of dedication, September 3, 1905. Between 1905 and 1912 the organ was sold and Rev. Kidd appointed a committee consisting of Elmer Laub, Mrs. Charles Nicholas and Elmer Werkheiser to purchase an organ costing $200 or less. The committee reported to the council on February 25, 1912, that no suitable organ could be found for less than $400. The records are unclear as to how the organ was purchased but the Sunday School asked permission to dedicate the organ on June 27, 1915.
The third organ was donated to the church by Mrs. Roy Kostenbader and Mrs. Byron Schmidt in memory of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer W. Laub, and dedicated on Palm Sunday, April 10, 1938.
Grace Lutheran Church has been served by eight organists with the late Mrs. Addie Dewalt giving 30 years of service, and our current organist, Gail Roberts, having already served 42 years!
Mrs. Edwin P. Laub 1905-1909
Mrs. Alvin Hordendorf 1910
Cletus Rieser 1911
Mr. Charles Nicholas 1912-1917
Addie Laub 1919-1923
Francis Fehr 1924-1930
Mrs. Addie Dewalt 1931-1961
Gail Roberts 1961-
Rev. Asa Edward Erdman (1905-1907) - See page 9.
Rev. Harvey S. Kidd (1908-1912) - Born near bath in1884, he attended local schools, entered Muhlenberg College and was graduated in 1905. He accepted a call to the Plainfield Lutheran Parish in 1908 upon graduation from Mt. Airy Theological Seminary. Rev. Kidd became the field secretary for the Educational Fund of Muhlenberg College and Mt. Airy Seminary in 1912. In 1914 he accepted a call to the Womelsfdorf Parish and later became pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church at Souderton.
Rev. Wirt A. Dries (1914-1919) - Rev. Dries was born in Bucks County in 1875, and graduated from K.S.N.S. at Kutztown where he taught for a number of years. He graduated from Muhlenberg College and upon his graduation from Seminary in 1908, he served as pastor in Girardville, Pa. and Wolf’s Cross Roads Parish. He also served the Plainfield Lutheran Parish, Mahoning Parish and Straustown Parish in Berks County.
Rev. Phares G. Beer (1919-1921) - Rev. Beer was born in Bucks County in 1890, graduated from Perkasie High School in 1907, and finished his studies at Muhlenberg College in 1913. Rev. Beer accepted a call to the Line Mt. Parish (1917-1919) upon graduation from Seminary. He became the pastor of Grace Lutheran of Allentown after serving the Plainfield Parish for two years. It is interesting to note that Sarah, wife of Pastor Lee Berry (1972-1979), is the granddaughter of Rev. Beer. Pastor Beer created the title of our newsletter - The Grace Herald.
Rev. Luther D. Lazarus (1922-1925) - Pastor Lazarus was born in Quakertown in 1874, graduated from Allentown Preparatory School, Muhlenberg College, and Mt. Airy Seminary. Upon his ordination he became assistant pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church of Reading. Other charges included St. John’s of Nazareth in 1902; St. John’s, Pen Argyl from 1906-1908; St. Mark’s, Bethlehem in 1908; Trinity, Bethlehem in 1910; Plainfield Lutheran Parish from 1922-1925; and his last pastorate at Asbury Park, NJ.
Rev. Luther B. Klick (1926-1958) - Rev. Klick was born in Schuylkill County, Pa., in 1894. He was graduated from Hegins Township High School in 1911, K.S.N.S. at Kutztown in 1913, and then taught school for several years. Rev. Klick was ordained on June 7, 1923. He served as pastor of the Washingtonville Lutheran Church of Washingtonville, Pa., from 1923 to 1926. In 1926 he assumed the pastorate of the Plainfield Lutheran Parish and served as its minister until his death in 1958.
Rev. Richard D. Schlegel (1959-1965) - Pastor Schlegel, a native of Valley View, Pa., was graduated from Hegins Township High School in 1952, Muhlenberg College in 1956, and Lutheran Theological Seminary in 1959. His first call after Seminary was to the Belfast-Wind Gap Parish where he served for six years, and then accepted a call to St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church in Allentown in 1965, where he served 9½ years. Since 1974 he has been serving at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Mt. Clemens, Michigan. He will be retiring from the ministry on September 1, 2003.
Rev. George E. Hein, Jr. (1965-1971) - Pastor Hein is a Whitehall Township, Lehigh County native. He graduated from Whitehall High School in 1951, Muhlenberg College in 1955 and the Lutheran Theological Seminary in 1958. Upon graduation from Seminary he served the New Ringgold Parish from 1958 to 1962, the Mahoning Parish from 1962 to 1965 and the Belfast-WindGap Parish from 1965 to 1971. He accepted a call in 1971 to serve the Allegheny Lutheran Church where he served until 1980. From 1980-91 he served the Rehresburg-Bethel Parish, and from 1991-95 he served at Christ Lutheran Church, Jim Thorpe, where he retired in September of 1995. Since September of 1996 he has served part-time as the visitation pastor of Jordan Lutheran, Orefield.
Rev. Thomas Lee Berry (1972-1979) - Pastor Berry was born in Philadelphia and grew up in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. He is a graduate of Ramsey, NJ High School (1964), Muhlenberg College (1968) and Lutheran Theological Seminary of Philadelphia (1972). Pastor Berry served his internship from Seminary at Trinity Lutheran Church in Taneytown, Maryland (1970-71) and came to Grace Church on July 1, 1972, where he served until 1979. After leaving Grace he served many years as a missionary pilot for LAMP (the Lutheran Associates of Missionary Pilots) in Alaska and the Canadian Northwest Territories. Pastor Berry recently started his own missionary endeavor in the same area, called “On Eagle’s Wings” which continues to bring the gospel to the people of the north.
Rev. Virginia M. Biniek (1980-1987) - Pastor Biniek was born and raised in Queens, NY, and graduated from Franklin K. Lane High School, Brooklyn in 1963. She received her B.A. from Susquehanna University in 1967, and a Master of Library Science degree from the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn (1968). She did her seminary internship at Messiah Lutheran, Bethlehem and received her M.Div. from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia in 1978. Her first call was as the Assistant Pastor at Holy Spirit Lutheran, Emmaus. She came to Grace in 1980 and served until 1987. Since leaving Grace she has served as librian at the Lutheran Seminary, and as pastor at St. Mark, Nescopeck, St. Michael, Hamburg, and St. John, Wilkes-Barre. She is presently serving at Zion-St. John (Reed’s), Stouchsburg.
Rev. Dr. Leon Zinkler, M.S., D.Min. (1987-1990) - Dr. Zinkler was born in Reading and graduated from Collingdale High School in 1950. He received his B.S. from Temple University (1956), his M.Div. from Drew University (1961), an M.S. from Western Connecticut State University (1967), and his Doctor of Ministry from Drew University (1988). He was ordained in the Methodist Church in 1961, and ordained in the Lutheran Church in 1967. From 1969-2002 he was Professor of Sociology at E. Stroudsburg University, and during that time he served various interim ministries. He presently serves as interim pastor at St. John, Scranton.
Rev. James L. Henderschedt, Jr. (1990-1996) - Pastor Jim was raised in Hazelton and graduated from Hazelton High School in 1953. He received his B.A. from Muhlenberg College (1957) and his M.Div. from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (1960). He served his seminary internship at the Springtown Lutheran Parish, where he accepted his first call as the assistant pastor. After leaving Grace, he retired from parish ministry, but served for 3 years as the Coordinator of Special Services for Lutheran Congregational Services. Pastor Jim is the author of many books of spiritual short stories and continues to write and lead workshops on storytelling.
Rev. Jeffrey J. Butz, S.T.M. (1996 - 2014) - Pastor Jeff was raised in Allentown and graduated from Dieruff High School in 1975. He received a B.S. from Kutztown University (1979) and began his career as a high school science teacher, and later worked as a manager for various Radio Shack stores in the Lehigh Valley. During this time, he felt God calling him to ministry, and began studying at Moravian Theological Seminary, where he received his M.Div. in 1994. He served his internship at Grace Lutheran, Allentown, and the Good Shepherd Home. His first call was to Grace. Since coming to Grace he received a Master of Sacred Theology degree from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (2002). In addition to his ministry at Grace, he is also an adjunct professor of Religious Studies at Penn State Berks-Lehigh Valley.
Rev. Deb Taylor, (2017 - ) - Pastor Deb lives in East Stroudsburg and received a B.S. in Accounting from East Stroudsburg University (1993) and began her career as an accountant, working for government and non-profit organizations. She felt God calling her to ministry, and began studying at Moravian Theological Seminary, where she received her M.Div. in 2015. She served her internship at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Craigs Meadow. Her first call was to Grace.
1910 - Cistern was built
1914 - Pastor’s shed erected
1917 - Installation of electric lights
1926 -Purchase of parsonage from Rev. L.C. Lazarus for
$6500, Grace Church’s share being $750
1929 - West end of basement renovated for Primary Dept.
of Sunday School
1930 - Installation of steam heating plant
1933 - Painting of church interior and conversion of east
end of basement to social room
1937 - Installation of heating system in social room
1938 - Installation of lavatories
1940 - Satisfaction of parsonage mortgage
1943 - Improvements to chancel and installation of
new carpeting
1949 - Slate roof on church
1950 - Extensive improvements (new ceiling, refinishing of
pews and woodwork, painting of church interior, etc.)
1951 - Oil-fired boiler installed
1957 - Building of an addition to church
1958 - Split of four-church congregation (Grace, Belfast;
St. Peter’s, Plainfield; Trinity, Wind Gap; and
Jehovah, Bushkilll Center) to two two-church
parishes (Grace and Trinity; St. Peter’s and Jehovah)
1958 - New front door to Sanctuary donated by Mr. & Mrs.
Roy Fehnel, Mr. & Mrs. Lester Fehnel and Mr. & Mrs.
Donald Moyer
1958 - Purchase with Trinity of parsonage from Plainfield-
Bushkill Center Parish for $11,001
1959 - Equipment purchase for parish secretarial office
1960 - Renovations to parsonage
Gail Werkheiser Roberts accepted position of organist
1964 - Curbing and sidewalks installed along side of church
Driveway blacktopped
1967 - First pictorial church directory published
1971 - Election of Mrs. Anna Uhler to church council
First woman to serve on council
1973 - Aluminum siding installed
Porch repaired at parsonage
1976 - Mark Wimmer, first son of congregation to enter the
ministry, begins seminary
Second pictorial directory published
1977 - Repainting and carpeting of Sanctuary, refinishing
of pews, etc.
1978 - Painting of trim and repairs to back church wall;
repainting of Sunday School rooms
Dedication of sound system, tape recorder, cabinet
and tower chimes
1979 - Belfast-Wind Gap parish dissolved
Grace calls its first full-time pastor,
the Rev. Virginia Biniek
1981 - LBW (Green hymnal) introduced
1981 - Endowment Fund started thanks to generous
bequests by Grace Schmidt and Annie Kostenbader
1988 - Two new Weil-McLain boilers installed
Stain glass windows refurbished
1990 - New entrance doors installed at rear of building
1991 - New Allen Digital Computer Organ MDS-15
dedicated
New signboard installed on front lawn
Fire alarm system installed
New road signs placed
New altar candles dedicated
1992 - Grace switches from Pocono Mission District to
the Northern Lehigh Valley Mission District
1993 - Enclosures on both side entrances built
Sanctuary painted
New carpeting in sanctuary and Sunday School room
Emergency lighting system installed
1995 - Parsonage sold
Contemporary English Version of Bible begins being
used for reading in worship
1996 - New baptismal font dedicated
Grace holds its own Vacation Bible School for first
time
Front doors changed from white to “Lutheran red”
Office expanded and new carpet installed
1997 - Kitchen painted
1998 - 2-acre property next to church purchased and
dedicated
Visioning Task Force established to start planning for
future building expansion
Building Fund started
“With One Voice” hymnal supplement purchased
Setting 5 introduced during Advent
1999 - New property subdivided and house sold
Parking Lot expanded
Sanctuary Candle (“Eternal Flame”) dedicated
2000 - Gail Roberts celebrates 40th anniversary as organist
Jim Shook installed as Deacon of Ministry at
Grace Lutheran Church
2001 - Picnic Pavilion erected with in-house labor
Building Committee established to oversee expansion
plans
2002 - Architect hired and blueprints for building expansion
are drawn up
Out-building for picnic pavilion erected
New Sunday School furniture purchased
Service of Evening Prayer (Vespers) introduced at
evening Lenten services
2003 - 175th Anniversary celebrated
Pastor Jeff completes 7th year of ministry at Grace,
making his pastorate the longest since Pastor Luther
Klick (1926-1958)
THE 21ST CENTURY:
THE FUTURE OF GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH
In the past 175 years, Grace Lutheran Church has seen some astounding changes. When our congregation began in 1828 there were no cars, no electricity, and no indoor plumbing! Our nation was still in its infancy. And our ancestors were struggling to gain a foothold in the “New World.”
Our congregation began worshiping in a building shared with two other congregations. Today our present building, already almost a hundred years old and which cost less than $5,000 to build, has grown to a value of almost a million dollars! Our church has seen many different pastors serve its people, each with their own individual strengths and God-given talents, and their own human weaknesses. We have come from a time when one pastor served four churches, to needing a full-time pastor just to serve Grace. Our congregation has experienced the boom time of the 1950s and early ‘60s, when churches and Sunday Schools were crowded, to the more apathetic times of the 1970s and ‘80s when many congregations, including our own, dwindled in numbers. Grace has gone through many years of struggle, when there often was not enough giving to pay the bills. But in the past twenty years, thanks to the perseverance and dedication of so many, and the foresight and generosity of a few, our congregation rests financially secure, blessed with a sizeable endowment fund. And our membership has again begun to slowly and steadily grow in numbers.
And now, in just the past five years, God has blessed us with a new 2-acre property on which we can grow. The planning and construction of our new picnic pavilion, completed in 2001, is a glowing example of the foresight, determination, and hard work that is characteristic of all our ministries at Grace. The pavilion is a model of what we can accomplish together when we put our minds, bodies, and spirits to it. Thanks be to God, our congregation has a unique opportunity in this 175th anniversary year to make some solid plans for the future of our church. In fact, we already have those plans literally on the drawing board. And while we are all quite excited about turning the plans for expanding our building into reality, we need to always keep one very important thing in mind: we plan not for the expansion of a building, but of a ministry. The expansion of our building is merely a tool that will help us to expand our ministries and outreach to our community and the world. Our whole congregation should be proud of the efforts of our new Building Committee for keeping the bigger picture always in the forefront of our planning: How can the expansion of our building enable us to expand our ministries and our outreach with the Gospel of Jesus Christ? In preparation for this anniversary year and our future expansion, our Mutual Ministry Committee wrote a new mission statement to guide our congregation in the new millennium:
We, the people of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, believe that through the Holy Sacraments we have become one family and made ministers of God’s grace. Following in Christ’s footsteps, we seek to reach all people, regardless of their differences from us, offering God’s love, forgiveness, and promise of eternal life.
That’s what it’s all about, people of Grace! Since 1828, God has called us to reach out with the Gospel to all people. And the people of Grace have been faithfully responding to God’s call for an amazing 175 years! For almost two centuries, God has been faithful to us and gotten us through some times of difficult struggle. And in just the past few years, God has blessed us with financial security, land on which to grow, and a vision for the future. What is the future of Grace Church? Will it be one of just getting older, or getting better at serving God and proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ? How the future will be written depends upon those of us who live in the NOW of Grace Church. How will we meet the challenge to fulfill the Lord’s Great Commission to take the Gospel to all the world?
The author of 1 John wrote: “Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed.” (1 John3:2) What God wants us to be will not be found by clinging hopelessly to the past, but by prayerfully and faithfully moving hopefully and boldly into the future to which God is calling us. In 175 years we’ve come a long way. What shall we become in the next 175 years?
Special thanks to our 175th Anniversary Committee:
Annetta Fehnel
Brandi Fogel
Hilda Kocher
Gerald Millheim
Gail Roberts
Pastor Jeff
Thanks to Brandi Fogel for putting together our special anniversary displays, Lisa Hamm for the design of our Anniversary Logo, Annetta Fehnel for organizing the banquet, Cindy Shook for making our anniversary banner, and to Krysta Fogel and John Scaralgello for providing the special music for our banquet.
Thanks to Jane Follweiler and the Schmidt Funeral Home, Donahoe Farms Florist, and Mrs. Helen Severs for the special flower arrangements in honor of our anniversary.
