history

The history of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Quakertown, dates back to March 16, 1890. At that time, St. John’s Lutheran in Richlandtown and Christ Lutheran in Trumbauersville arranged for a series of Lenten services to be held in Shives Hall located just west of the railroad tracks on Front Street between the present one-way sections of Broad Street. Because of the success of the services, it was decided to establish a “preaching point” and a Sunday School in the area which at that time was called Richland Center.

On January 12, 1891, a lot with 100 feet of frontage, which was the second lot north of the corner of Erie and Hellertown Avenues, was purchased. And on June 21 of the same year, the cornerstone for the new building was laid.

On October 31, 1891, Reformation Sunday, the congregation was organized by the Rev. D.H. Reiter, who was then Pastor of St. John’s, Richlandtown, and Christ Church, Trumbauersville. Seventy members officially signed the constitution and became charter members of the church. These charter members, plus some new members, held their first worship service in the new church building which was in German on Saturday evening, November 7, 1891. The following morning, a service was held in English.

The dedication service for the new church was held on Sunday, March 28, 1893.

The Sunday School was organized on January 2, 1892; the Luther League on November 9, 1863; and the Dorcas Society on January 20, 1894.

Through the efforts of the Dorcas Society, an annex was built to the main church and dedicated on December 15, 1895.

Six years later, a two thousand pound bell was cast by the Menerly Bell Co. of Troy, NY. It was dedicated on June 30, 1901. In 1905, a fine C.A. Durner & Son tracker action pipe organ, made in Quakertown in facilities located at the corner of Front and Juniper Streets, was installed and dedicated.

On April 1, 1912, the second pastor, the Rev. C.C. Snyder, began has pastorate. Then on January 1, 1917, the third pastor, the Rev. Nathan B. Yerger, began his pastorate. That same year, the parsonage at 49 North Hellertown Avenue was purchased by the congregation.

The Osman property on the corner was purchased in 1929, the acquisition of which made it possible for the congregation to plan a new church school building. Ground breaking for this new facility took place on November 22, 1936 and the cornerstone laying on January 31, 1937. The dedication, marking its completion, was held on May 1, 1938. This new education building was constructed with “Green Tree” stone from Lancaster County.

On November 1, 1952, the Rev. Harold E. Artz, fourth pastor of the congregation, was formally installed. After September of 1959 saw the closing of the original church building, services were held in the church school auditorium. It was decided not to complete the second phase of the existing building plan which was to provide a new church building. In light of the is decision, properties on the north side of Erie Avenue were purchased and prepared for the erecting of a new worship facility.

The ground breaking service for the new church was held August 31, 1961. The cornerstone service was conducted June 24, 1962. And, the service of dedication was held March 31, 1963.

Miss Bertha J. Bystrom was called as Director of Christian Education and began her ministry in 1967. She retired in 1983. In 1973, after 21 years as pastor of Trinity, the Rev. Harold E. Artz retired.

The Rev. Gary G. Scott was called as pastor to Trinity on August 1, 1974. This same year saw the completion of the renovation of the Nathan B. Yerger Building and the realization of our plans.

In 1984, the Rev. Christian P. Matthy was called as Trinity’s first associate pastor and served for three years.

Throughout the years, the congregation has enjoyed steady growth. At the present time Trinity’s baptized membership totals 1300.

timeline

January 12, 1891 Property was purchased on Hellertown Avenue to build a church.

June 21, 1891 The cornerstone was laid for a new church.

October 31, 1891 (Reformation Sunday) Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized by the Rev. D. H. Reiter.

November 7, 1891 The first service was held in the new church building.

January 2, 1892 The Sunday School was organized.

March 2, 1893 The dedication for the new church was held.

November 9, 1893 The Luther League is organized.

January 20, 1894 The Dorcas Society is formed.

December 15, 1895 An annex to the church was built and dedicated.

June 30, 1901 A bell was purchased for the church and dedicated on June 30, 1901.

1905 A C. A. Durner & Son tracker and action pipe organ was installed and dedicated.

April 1, 1912 The Rev. C. C. Snyder, the second pastor of Trinity, began his pastorate.

January 1, 1917 The Rev. Nathan B. Yerger began his pastorate.

1917 The parsonage was purchased at 49 N. Hellertown Avenue.

1929 The property at the corner of Erie and Hellertown Avenues was purchased to build a new church school building.

November 22, 1936 Ground breaking for the church school building.

January 31, 1937 The cornerstone was laid for the church school building.

May 1, 1938 The new church school building was dedicated.

November 1, 1952 The Rev. Harold. E. Artz became the fourth pastor of Trinity.

September 1959 The original church building was closed.

August 31, 1961 Ground breaking for the new church was held.

June 24, 1962 The cornerstone was laid for the new church.

March 31, 1963 The new and present church building was dedicated.

1967 Bertha J. Bystrom was called as Director of Christian Education.

1973 After 21 years of ministry at Trinity, the Rev. Harold E. Artz retired.

August 1, 1974 The Rev. Gary G. Scott is called as pastor of Trinity.

1974 Renovations to the Sunday School building, also known as the Nathan B. Yerger Building, are completed.

1984 The Rev. Christian P. Matthy is called as Trinity’s first Associate Pastor.
Susan Griffaton is hired as Director of Christian Education.

1992 The Rev. Charles Glandorf is called as Associate Pastor, organist and Director of Music.

December 1, 1993 Joanne Haney is hired as Coordinator of Christian Education.

July 20, 1998 Darlene Mory hired as Coordinator of Christian Education.

December, 1998 The Rev. Gary G. Scott retires after 24 years as pastor at Trinity.

Feburary 1, 2000 The Rev. Andrew C. Lowe is called as pastor of Trinity.

June 1, 2004 The Rev. Henrik Sonntag is called as Associate Pastor.

December 31, 2009 The Rev. Andrew C. Lowe retires.